Distribution.—All seas from the Arctic regions to New Zealand, Chili, and the Cape of Good Hope.
Species of Anarrhichas, Blennius, Blenniops, Centronotus and Zoarces occur in British seas. Chasmodes (3 sp.) is confined to the Atlantic coasts of Temperate North America; Petroscirtes (26 sp.) to the tropical parts of the Indian and Pacific Oceans; and Stichæus (9 sp.) to the Arctic Seas.
Family 25.—ACANTHOCLINIDÆ. (1 Genus, 1 Species.)
"A carnivorous marine fish, with long flat body and very long dorsal fin."
Distribution.—Coasts of New Zealand.
Family 26.—COMEPHORIDÆ. (1 Genus, 1 Species.)
"An elongate, naked, large-headed fish, with two dorsal fins."
Distribution.—Lake Baikal.
Dr. Günther remarks, that this fish approaches the Scombrina (Mackerel) in several characters. These are exclusively marine fishes, while Lake Baikal is fresh-water, and is situated among mountains, at an elevation of nearly 2000 feet, and more than a thousand miles from the ocean!
Family 27.—TRACHYPTERIDÆ. (3 Genera, 16 Species.)