The largest bone in the shoulder girdle is the clavicle (fig. 13, 3), which is irregularly crescent shaped, thick in front and tapering off behind. To the outer side of its upper part is attached a thick cylindrical bone, the supra-clavicle, which passes upwards and is connected with a strong V shaped bone, the post-temporal. The apex of the V meets the supra-clavicle, the inner limb articulates with the epi-otic process, the outer with the parotic process. Projecting downwards from the upper part of the clavicle is a long bony rod, flattened proximally and cylindrical and pointed distally, this is the post-clavicle (fig. 13, 6).
The scapula (fig. 13, 5) is a small irregular plate of bone attached to the inner side of the middle of the clavicle. The coracoid[38] is a larger plate of similar character, irregularly triangular in shape, attached to the inner side of the clavicle immediately below the scapula. The scapula and coracoid bear the pectoral fin.
The Pectoral fins.
Each of these consists of four small irregular bones, the brachial ossicles (fig. 13, 7), bearing a series of about nineteen dermal fin-rays. The brachial ossicles represent the reduced and modified radiale and basalia of cartilaginous fish such as the dogfish. The fin-rays (fig. 13, 8) which form the whole external portion of the fin are long slender rods having essentially the same character as those of the unpaired fins.
The Pelvic girdle.
The pelvic girdle in the Cod as in other Teleosteans is entirely absent, its place being taken by the enlarged basi-pterygia of the fins.
The Pelvic fins.
These have a very anomalous position in the Cod, being attached to the throat in front of the pectoral girdle. Each consists of a basal portion, the basi-pterygium, and of a number of dermal rays. The basi-pterygium consists of an expanded ventral portion which meets its fellow below in the middle line, and to which the rays are attached, and of an inwardly-directed dorsal portion which also meets its fellow and is imbedded in the flesh. The rays are six in number and are long slender structures similar to those of the other fins.