Fig. 297.—Gonorhynchus greyi.
Fig. 298.—Scale of Gonorhynchus greyi.
One genus and species only (Gonorhynchus greyi) is known; it is a semi-pelagic fish, not very rare off the Cape of Good Hope, and in the Australian and Japanese seas. From 12 to 18 inches long. The colonists in New Zealand name it “Sand-eel,” as it frequents bays with sandy bottom. It is eaten.
Nineteenth Family—Hyodontidæ.
Body covered with cycloid scales; head naked; barbels none. Margin of the upper jaw formed by the intermaxillaries mesially, and by the maxillaries laterally, the latter being articulated to the end of the former. Opercular apparatus complete. Adipose fin none; the dorsal fin belongs to the caudal portion of the vertebral column. Stomach horseshoe-shaped, without blind sac; intestine short; one pyloric appendage. Pseudobranchiæ none; air-bladder simple. Gill-openings wide. The ova fall into the abdominal cavity before exclusion.
One genus and species only (Hyodon tergisus) is known, generally called “Moon-eye.” It is abundant in the western streams and great lakes of North America. From 12 to 18 inches long.
Twentieth Family—Pantodontidæ.
Body covered with large cycloid scales; sides of the head osseous. Margin of the upper jaw formed by the single intermaxillary mesially, and by the maxillaries laterally. The dorsal fin belongs to the caudal portion of the vertebral column, is short, opposite and similar to the anal. Gill-openings wide; gill-covers consisting of a præoperculum and operculum only. Branchiostegals numerous. Pseudobranchiæ none; air-bladder simple. Stomach without coecal sac; one pyloric appendage. Sexual organs with a duct.