We find then, that in the Ophidia, the r_The Geographical Distribution of Animals, Volume 2 With a study of the relations of living and extinct faunas as elucidating the past changes of the Earth's surface

remarkably distinct; and that, in the case of the Oriental and Ethiopian,

the difference is strongly marked, a very large number of the genera being

confined to each region. It is interesting to observe, that in many cases

the affinity seems to be rather between the West Coast of Africa and the

Oriental region, than between the East Coast and the plains of India; thus

the Homalopsidæ--a highly characteristic Oriental family--occur on the West

Coast of Africa only; the Dryiophidæ, which range over the whole Oriental

region, only occur in Madagascar and West Africa in the Ethiopian; the

genus _Dipsas_ is found over all the Oriental region and again in West

Africa. A cause for this peculiarity has been suggested in our sketch of

the past history of the Ethiopian region, Vol. I. p. 288. In the

Lycodontidæ, which are strictly confined to these two regions, the genera

are all distinct, and the same is the case with the more widely distributed

Elapidæ; and although a few desert forms, such as _Echis_ and the Erycidæ,

are common to Africa and the dry plains of India, this is evidently due to

favourable climatic conditions, and cannot neutralise the striking

differences in the great mass of the family and generic forms which inhabit

the two regions. The union of Madagascar with the South-western part of the

Oriental region under the appellation Lemuria, finds no support in the

distribution of Ophidia; which, however, strikingly accords with the views

developed in the Third Part of this work, as to the great importance and

high antiquity of the Euro-Asiatic continent, as the chief land-centre from

which the higher organisms have spread over the globe.

_Fossil Ophidia._--The oldest known remains of Ophidia occur in the Eocene

formation in the Isle of Sheppey; others are found in the Miocene (Brown

Coal) of Germany, and in some Tertiary beds in the United States. Most of

these appear to have been {388}large species belonging to the Pythonidæ, so

that we are evidently still very far from knowing anything of the earliest

forms of this order. In some of the later Tertiary deposits the poison

fangs of venomous species have been found; also a Colubrine snake from the

Upper Miocene of the South of France.

_Order II.--LACERTILIA._

FAMILY 26.--TROGONOPHIDÆ. (1 Genus, 1 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --|-- 2 -- -- |-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --

| | | | |

The single species of _Trogonophis_, forming this family, is found only in

North Africa.

FAMILY 27.--CHIROTIDÆ. (1 Genus, 1 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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| | | | |

-- -- 3 -- |-- -- 3 -- |-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --

| | | | |

_Chirotes_, the genus which constitutes this family, inhabits Mexico, and

has also been found in Missouri, one of the Southern United States.

FAMILY 28.--AMPHISBÆNIDÆ. (1 Genus, 13 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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1. 2 -- 4 |-- -- -- --|-- 2 -- -- |1. 2 -- -- |-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --

| | | | |

{389}The Amphisbænidæ, which, in the opinion of Dr. Günther, are all

comprised in the genus _Amphisbæna_, inhabit Spain and Asia Minor, North

and Tropical Africa, South America as far as Buenos-Ayres and the West

Indian Islands.

FAMILY 29.--LEPIDOSTERNIDÆ. (3 Genera, 6 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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| | | | |

1. 2 -- -- |-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --|-- 2. 3 -- |-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --

| | | | |

The small family of Lepidosternidæ has nearly the same distribution as the

last, indicating a curious relationship between the Tropical parts of

Africa and America. _Lepidosternon_ and _Cephalopeltis_ are American

genera, while _Monotrophis_ is African.

FAMILY 30.--VARANIDÆ. (3 Genera, 30 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --|-- 2 -- -- |1. 2. 3 -- |1. 2. 3. 4 |1. 2 -- --

| | | | |

The Varanidæ, or Water Lizards, are most abundant in the Oriental region,

whence they extend into the Austro-Malay Islands as far as New Guinea, and

into Australia. Several species are found in Africa. _Psammosaurus_ (1

sp.), is found in North Africa and North-western India; _Monitor_ (18 sp.),

has the range of the family; while _Hydrosaurus_ (8 sp.) ranges from Siam

to the Philippines, New Guinea, and Australia.

{390}FAMILY 31.--HELODERMIDÆ. (1 Genus, 1 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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-- -- 3 -- |-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --

| | | | |

The genus _Heloderma_, which constitutes this family, is found in Mexico.

FAMILY 32.--TEIDÆ. (12 Genera, 74 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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| | | | |

1. 2. 3. 4 |1. 2. 3 -- |-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --

| | | | |

The Teidæ, or Teguexins--a group of Lizards allied to the European

Lacertidæ, but with differently formed superciliary scales--are highly

characteristic of the Neotropical region, abounding almost everywhere from

Patagonia to the Antilles and Mexico, and extending northwards to

California on the west and to Pennsylvania on the east. The most extensive

genus is _Ameiva_, containing nearly 60 species and having the range of the

entire family; _Teius_ (3 sp.), inhabits Brazil and Mendoza; _Callopistes_

(2 sp.), Chili; _Centropyx_ (3 sp.), Paraguay to Alabama; _Dicrodon_

(Peru); _Monoplocus_ (Western Ecuador); with _Acrantus_, _Acanthopyga_,

_Emminia_, _Crocodilurus_, _Custa_, and _Ada_, which each consist of a

single species, and all inhabit Tropical America.

FAMILY 33.--LACERTIDÆ. (18 Genera, 80 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --|1. 2. 3. 4 |1. 2. 3 -- |1. 2. 3. 4 |-- 2 -- --

| | | | |

{391}The Lacertidæ, or Land Lizards, are small-sized, terrestrial,

non-burrowing lizards, very characteristic of the Palæarctic region, which

contains more than half the known species, and of the adjacent parts of the

Oriental and Ethiopian regions, but extending also to South Africa, to

Java, and even to Australia. The best-defined genera are the following:--

_Lacerta_ (10 sp.), ranging over all Central and South Europe to Poland,

and farther north in Russia and Siberia, eastward to Persia, and southward

to North and West Africa; _Zootoca_ (8 sp.), has nearly the same range in

Europe as the last genus, but has representatives in Madeira, South Africa,

and Australia; _Tachydromus_ (7 sp.) is widely scattered in Chinese Asia,

Japan, Borneo, and West Africa; _Acanthodactylus_ (10 sp.) is most abundant

in North Africa, but has a species in South Africa, and two in Central

India; _Eremias_ (18 sp.) is found all over Africa, and also in the Crimea,

Persia, Tartary and China; _Psammodromus_ (2 sp.), is confined to Spain,

France, and Italy; _Ophiops_ (6 sp.), inhabits India, Persia, and Asia

Minor to South Russia. Less strongly marked and perhaps less natural genera

are the following:--

_Thetia_ (1 sp.), Algiers; _Teira_ (1 sp.), Madeira; _Nucras_ (4 sp.),

Caucasus and South Africa; _Notopholis_ (4 sp.), South Europe and South

Africa; _Algira_ (3 sp.), North and South Africa; _Scrapteira_ (1 sp.),

Nubia; _Aspidorhinus_ (1 sp.), Caspian district; _Messalina_ (4 sp.), North

Africa, Persia, and North-west India _Cabrita_ (1 sp.), Central India;

_Pachyrhynchus_ (1 sp.), Benguela.

FAMILY 34.--ZONURIDÆ. (15 Genera, 52 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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-- 2. 3. 4 |1. 2. 3. 4 |-- 2 -- -- |1. 2. 3. 4 |-- -- 3 -- |-- 2 -- --

| | | | |

The Zonuridæ, or Land Lizards, characterised by a longitudinal fold of skin

on each side of the body, have a very remarkable {392}distribution. Their

head-quarters is the Ethiopian region, which contains more than half the

known genera and species, most of which are found in South Africa and

several in Madagascar. Next to Africa the largest number of genera and

species are found in Mexico and Central America, with a few in the

Antilles, South America, and California, and even as far north as British

Columbia. Three of the genera form a distinct sub-group--the Glass

Snakes,--the four species composing it being located in North Africa, North

America, South-eastern Europe, and the Khasya Hills.

The prominent fact in the distribution of this family is, that the mass of

the genera and species form two groups, one in South Africa, the other in

Mexico,--countries between which it would be difficult to imagine any means

of communication. We have here, probably, an example of a once much more

extensive group, widely distributed over the globe, and which has continued

to maintain itself only in those districts especially adapted to its

peculiar type of organization. This must undoubtedly have been the case

with the genus _Pseudopus_, whose two species now inhabit South-eastern

Europe and the Khasya Hills in Assam respectively.

The genera are,--_Cordylus_, _Pseudocordylus_, _Platysaurus_,

_Cordylosaurus_, _Pleurostrichus_, and _Saurophis_, confined to South

Africa; _Zonurus_, South and East Africa and Madagascar; _Gerrhosaurus_,

ranges over the whole Ethiopian region; _Cicigna_ is confined to

Madagascar; _Gerrhonotus_ (22 sp.), ranges from British Columbia,

California, and Texas, to Cuba and South America, but is most abundant in

Mexico and Central America; _Abronia_ and _Barissia_, are two genera of

doubtful distinctness, peculiar to Mexico; _Ophisaurus_ (the Glass Snake)

is found in the Southern United States as far as Virginia; the allied genus

_Hyalosaurus_ in North Africa; and _Pseudopus_, as above stated, in

South-east Europe and the Khasya Hills.

{393}FAMILY 35.--CHALCIDÆ. (3 Genera, 8 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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1. 2. 3 -- |-- -- ?3 --|-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --

| | | | |

The Chalcidæ are a small group of Lizards characteristic of Tropical

America, one species extending into the United States.

The genera are _Chalcis_ (6 sp.), ranging from Central America to Chili;

two other species, which have been placed in distinct genera, inhabit North

America and Peru.

FAMILY 36.--ANADIADÆ. (1 Genus, 1 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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-- 2 -- -- |-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --

| | | | |

The single species of _Anadia_, constituting this family, inhabits Tropical

America.

FAMILY 37.--CHIROCOLIDÆ. (1 Genus, 2 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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-- 2 -- -- |-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --

| | | | |

The genus _Heterodactylus_, which constitutes this family, inhabits Brazil.

{394}FAMILY 38.--IPHISADÆ. (1 Genus, 1 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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-- 2 -- -- |-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --

| | | | |

The single species of _Iphisa_, has been found only at Para in Equatorial

America.

FAMILY 39.--CERCOSAURIDÆ. (1 Genus, 5 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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-- 2 -- -- |-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --

| | | | |

The genus _Cercosaura_, is known only from Brazil and Ecuador.

FAMILY 40.--CHAMÆSAURIDÆ. (1 Genus, 1 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --|-- -- 3 -- |-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --

| | | | |

This family, consisting of a single species of the genus _Chamæsaura_, is

confined to South Africa.

{395}FAMILY 41.--GYMNOPTHALMIDÆ . (5 Genera, 14 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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-- 2 -- 4 |-- -- -- --|1. 2. 3 -- |-- 2 -- 4 |-- -- -- --|1. 2. 3 --

| | | | |

The Gymnopthalmidæ, or Gape-eyed Scinks, so called from their rudimentary

eyelids, form a small group, which is widely and somewhat erratically

distributed, as will be seen by the following account of the distribution

of the genera:--

_Lerista_ (1 sp.) and three other species for which Dr. Gray has

established the genera--_Morethria_ (1 sp.), and _Menetia_ (2 sp.), are

confined to Australia; _Cryptoblepharus_ (4 sp.), is found in West

Australia, Timor, New Guinea, the Fiji Islands, and Mauritius; _Ablepharus_

(4 sp.), inhabits Eastern and South-eastern Europe, Persia, Siberia, West

Africa, and the Bonin Islands; and _Gymnopthalmus_ (3 sp.), is found in

Brazil and the West Indies.

FAMILY 42.--PYGOPODIDÆ. (2 Genera, 3 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --|-- 2 -- --

| | | | |

This small family of two-legged Lizards, comprising the genera _Pygopus_

and _Delma_, is found only in Australia proper and Tasmania.

{396}FAMILY 43.--APRASIADÆ. (1 Genus, 2 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --|-- 2 -- --

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The genus _Aprasia_, constituting this family, is found in West and South

Australia.

FAMILY 44.--LIALIDÆ. (1 Genus, 3 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --|-- 2 -- --

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This family is also confined to Australia, the single genus, _Lialis_,

inhabiting the Western and Northern districts.

FAMILY 45.--SCINCIDÆ. (60 Genera, 300 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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1. 2. 3. 4 |1. 2. 3 -- |1. 2. 3. 4 |1. 2. 3. 4 |1. 2. 3. 4 |1. 2. 3. 4

| | | | |

The Scincidæ, or Scinks, are an extensive family of smooth-scaled lizards,

frequenting dry and stony places, and almost universally distributed over

the globe, being only absent from the cold northern and southern zones. The

family itself is a very natural one, and it contains many natural genera;

but a large number have been established which probably require careful

revision. The following include the more important and the best established

groups:--

{397}_Scincus_ (2 sp.), North Africa and Arabia; _Hinulia_ (20 sp.), most

of the Australian and Oriental regions; _Cyclodina_ (1 sp.), _Hombronia_ (1

sp.), and _Lygosomella_ (1 sp.), all from New Zealand; _Keneuxia_ (1 sp.),

Philippines, Moluccas, and Papuan Islands; _Elania_ (1 sp.) New Guinea;

_Carlia_ (2 sp.), North Australia and New Guinea; _Mocoa_ (16 sp.),

Australia and New Zealand, with species in Borneo, West Africa, and Central

America; _Lipinia_ (3 sp.), Philippine Islands and New Guinea; _Lygosoma_

(12 sp.), Australia, New Caledonia, Pelew and Philippine Islands;

_Tetradactylus_ (1 sp.), _Hemierges_ (2 sp.), _Chelomeles_ (2 sp.),

_Omolepida_ (1 sp.), _Lissolepis_ (1 sp.), _Siaphos_ (1 sp.), _Rhodona_ (3

sp.) _Anomalpus_ (1 sp.), _Soridia_ (2 sp.), and _Ophioscincus_ (1 sp.) all

confined to Australia; _Cophoscincus_ (3 sp.), Philippine Islands, Celebes,

and Queensland; _Plestiodon_ (18 sp.), China and Japan, Africa, and America

as far north as Pennsylvania and Nebraska; _Eumeces_ (30 sp.), South

Palæarctic, Oriental and Australian regions, to New Ireland and North

Australia; _Mabouya_ (20 sp.), Oriental region, Austro-Malaya, North

Australia, the Neotropical region, and to Lat. 42° 30' in North America;

_Amphixestus_ (1 sp.), Borneo; _Hagria_ (1 sp.), and _Chiamela_ (1 sp.),

India; _Senira_ (1 sp.), Philippine Islands; _Brachymeles_ (2 sp.),

Philippine Islands and Australia; _Ophiodes_ (1 sp.), Brazil; _Anguis_ (3

sp.), West Palæarctic region and South Africa; _Tribolonotus_ (1 sp.), New

Guinea; _Tropidophorus_ (2 sp.), Cochin-China and Philippine Islands;

_Norbea_ (2 sp.), Borneo and Australia; _Trachydosaurus_ (1 sp.),

Australia; Cyclodus (8 sp.), Australia, Aru Islands, and Ceram;

_Silubosaurus_ (2 sp.), _Egerina_ (2 sp.), and _Tropidolepisma_ (6 sp.),

all peculiar to Australia; _Heteropus_ (7 sp.), Australia, Austro-Malaya,

and Bourbon; _Pygomeles_ (1 sp.), Madagascar; _Dasia_ (1 sp.), Malaya;

_Euprepes_ (70 sp.), Ethiopian and Oriental regions, Austro-Malaya, South

America (?); _Celestus_ (9 sp.), peculiar to the Antilles, except a species

in Costa Rica; _Diploglossus_ (7 sp.), the Neotropical region;--with a

number of other genera founded on single species from various parts of the

world.

{398}FAMILY 46.--OPHIOMORIDÆ. (2 Genera, 2 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --|-- 2 -- -- |-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --

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The snake-like Lizard constituting the genus _Ophiomorus_, is found in

Southern Russia, Greece, and Algeria; while _Zygnopsis_ having four weak

limbs, has been recently discovered by Mr. Blanford in South Persia. The

family is therefore confined to our Mediterranean sub-region.

FAMILY 47.--SEPIDÆ. (7 Genera, 22 species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --|-- 2 -- -- |1. 2. 3. 4 |-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --

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The Sepidæ, or Sand-Lizards, are a very natural group, almost confined to

the Ethiopian region, but extending into the desert country on the borders

of the Oriental region, and into the south of the Palæarctic region as far

as Palestine, Madeira, Spain, Italy, and even the South of France. The

genera are:--

_Seps_ (10 sp.), South Europe, Madeira, Teneriffe, Palestine, North Africa,

South Africa and Madagascar; _Sphenops_ (2 sp.), North Africa, Syria, West

Africa; _Scelotes_ (3 sp.), Angola to South Africa, Madagascar; _Thyrus_ (1

sp.), Bourbon and Mauritius; _Amphiglossus_ (1 sp.), Madagascar;

_Sphenocephalus_ (1 sp.), Afghanistan; and _Sepsina_ (4 sp.), South-west

Africa.

{399}FAMILY 48.--ACONTIADÆ. (3 Genera, 7 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --|-- 2. 3. 4 |-- 2 -- -- |1 -- -- --

| | | | |

This small family of snake-like Lizards has a very curious distribution,

being found in South and West Africa, Madagascar, Ceylon, and Ternate in

the Moluccas. _Acontias_ (4 sp.), is found in the four first-named

localities; _Nessia_ (2 sp.), is confined to Ceylon; _Typhloscincus_ (1

sp.), to Ternate.

FAMILY 49.--GECKOTIDÆ. (50 Genera, 200 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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1. 2. 3. 4 |1. 2. 3 -- |1. 2. 3. 4 |1. 2. 3. 4 |1. 2. 3. 4 |1. 2. 3. 4

| | | | |

The Geckoes, or Wall-Lizards, form an extensive family, of almost universal

distribution in the warmer parts of the globe; and they must have some

exceptional means of dispersal, since they are found in many of the most

remote islands of the great oceans,--as the Galapagos, the Sandwich

Islands, Tahiti, New Zealand, the Loo-Choo and the Seychelle Islands, the

Nicobar Islands, Mauritius, Ascension, Madeira, and many others. The

following are the larger and more important genera:--

_Oëdura_ (3 sp.), Australia; _Diplodactylus_ (8 sp)., Australia, South

Africa, and California; _Phyllodactylus_ (8 sp.), widely scattered in

Tropical America, California, Madagascar, and Queensland; _Hemidactylus_

(40 sp.), all tropical and warm countries; _Peropus_ (12 sp.), the Oriental

region, Papuan Islands, Mauritius, and Brazil; _Pentadactylus_ (7 sp.),

Oriental region and Australia; _Gecko_ (12 sp.), Oriental region to New

Guinea and {400}North Australia; _Gehyra_ (5 sp.), Australia, New Guinea

and Fiji Islands; _Tarentola_ (7 sp.), North Africa, North America,

Madeira, Borneo, South Africa; _Phelsuma_ (6 sp.), Madagascar, Bourbon, and

Andaman Islands; _Pachydactylus_ (5 sp.), South and West Africa, and

Ascension Island; _Sphærodactylus_ (5 sp.), the Neotropical region;

_Naultinus_, (6 sp.), New Zealand; _Goniodactylus_ (5 sp.), Australia,

Timor, South America and Algiers; _Heteronota_ (4 sp.), Australia, Fiji

Islands, New Guinea and Borneo; _Cubina_ (4 sp.), the Neotropical region;

_Gymnodactylus_ (16 sp.), all warm countries except Australia; _Phyllurus_

(3 sp.), Australia; _Stenodactylus_ (4 sp.), North and West Africa, and Rio

Grande in North America.

The remaining genera mostly consist of single species, and are pretty

equally distributed over the various parts of the world indicated in the

preceding list. Madagascar, the Seychelle Islands, Chili, the Sandwich

Islands, South Africa, Tahiti, the Philippine Islands, New Caledonia, and

Australia--all have peculiar genera, while two new ones have recently been

described from Persia.

FAMILY 50.--IGUANIDÆ. (56 Genera, 236 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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1. 2. 3. 4 |1. 2. 3 -- |-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --|-- -- 3 --

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The extensive family of the Iguanas is highly characteristic of the

Neotropical region, in every part of which the species abound, even as far

as nearly 50° South Latitude in Patagonia. They also extend northwards into

the warmer parts of the Nearctic region, as far as California, British

Columbia, and Kansas on the west, and to 43° North Latitude in the Eastern

States. A distinct genus occurs in the Fiji Islands, and one has been

described as from Australia, and another from Madagascar, but there is some

doubt about these. The most extensive genera are:--

_Anolius_ (84 sp.), found in most parts of Tropical America and {401}north

to California; _Tropidolepis_ (15 sp.), which has nearly the same range;

_Leiocephalus_ (14 sp.), Antilles, Guayaquil, and Galapagos Islands;

_Leiolæmus_ (14 sp.), Peru to Patagonia; _Sceloporus_ (9 sp.), from Brazil

to California and British Columbia, and on the east to Florida;

_Proctotretus_ (6 sp.), Chili and Patagonia; _Phrynosoma_ (8 sp), New

Mexico, California, Oregon and British Columbia, Arkansas and Florida;

_Iguana_ (5 sp.), Antilles and South America; _Cyclusa_ (4 sp.), Antilles,

Honduras, and Mexico.

Among the host of smaller genera may be noted:--

_Brachylophus_, found in the Fiji Islands; _Trachycephalus_ and

_Oreocephalus_, peculiar to the Galapagos; _Oreodeira_, said to be from

Australia; _Diplolæmus_ and _Phymaturus_, found only in Chili and

Patagonia; and _Callisaurus_, _Uta_, _Euphryne_, _Uma_, and _Holbrookia_,

from New Mexico and California. All the other genera are from various parts

of Tropical America.

FAMILY 51.--AGAMIDÆ. (42 Genera, 156 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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The extensive family Agamidæ--the Eastern representative of the Iguanas--is

highly characteristic of the Oriental region, which possesses about half

the known genera and species. Of the remainder, the greater part inhabit

the Australian region; others range over the deserts of Central and Western

Asia and Northern Africa, as far as Greece and South Russia. One genus

extends through Africa to the Cape of Good Hope, and there are three

peculiar genera in Madagascar, but the family is very poorly represented in

the Ethiopian region. Many of these creatures are adorned with beautifully

varied and vivid colours, and the little "dragons" or flying-lizards are

among the most interesting forms in the entire order. The larger genera are

distributed as follows:--

{402}_Draco_ (18 sp.), the Oriental region, excluding Ceylon; _Otocryptis_

(4 sp.), Ceylon, North India, Malaya; _Ceratophora_ (3 sp.), Ceylon;

_Gonyocephalus_ (8 sp.), Papuan Islands, Java, Borneo, Pelew Islands;

_Dilophyrus_ (7 sp.), Indo-Malaya and Siam; _Japalura_ (6 sp.), Himalayas,

Borneo, Formosa, and Loo Choo Islands; _Sitana_ (2 sp.), Central and South

India and Ceylon; _Bronchocela_ (3 sp.), Indo-Malaya, Cambodja, and

Celebes; _Calotes_ (12 sp.), Continental India to China, Philippine

Islands; _Oriocalotes_ (2 sp.), Himalayas; _Acanthosaura_ (5 sp.), Malacca

and Siam; _Tiaris_ (3 sp.), Andaman Islands, Borneo, Philippine and Papuan

Islands; _Physignathus_ (3 sp.), Cochin-China and Australia; _Uromastix_ (5

sp.), South Russia, North Africa, Central India; _Stellio_ (5 sp.),

Caucasus and Greece to Arabia, High Himalayas and Central India; _Trapelus_

(5 sp.), Tartary, Egypt, and Afghanistan; _Phrynocephalus_ (10 sp.),

Tartary and Mongolia, Persia and Afghanistan; _Lophura_ (2 sp.), Amboyna

and Pelew Islands; _Grammatophorus_ (14 sp.), Australia and Tasmania;

_Agama_ (14 sp.), North Africa to the Punjaub, South Africa. The remaining

genera each consist of a single species. Eight are peculiar to Australia,

one to the Fiji Islands, one to the Aru Islands, three to Ceylon, five to

other parts of the Oriental region, one to Persia, and one to South Russia.

FAMILY 52.--CHAMÆLEONIDÆ. (1 Genus, 30 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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The Chamæleons are an almost exclusively Ethiopian group, only one species,

the common Chamæleon, inhabiting North Africa and Western Asia as far as

Central India and Ceylon. They abound all over Africa, and peculiar species

are found in Madagascar and Bourbon, as well as in the Island of Fernando

Po.

{403}_General Remarks on the Distribution of the Lacertilia._

The distribution of the Lacertilia is, in many particulars, strikingly

opposed to that of the Ophidia. The Oriental, instead of being the richest

is one of the poorest regions, both in the number of families and in the

number of peculiar genera it contains; while in both these respects the

Neotropical is by far the richest. The distribution of the families is as

follows:--

The Nearctic region has 7 families, none of which are peculiar to it; but

it has 3 peculiar genera--_Chirotes_, _Ophisaurus_, and _Phrynosoma_.

The Palæarctic region has 12 families, with two (Ophiomoridæ and

Trogonophidæ, each consisting of a single species) peculiar; while it has 6

peculiar or very characteristic genera, _Trogonophis_ in North Africa,

_Psammodromus_ in South Europe, _Hyalosaurus_ in North Africa, _Scincus_ in

North Africa and Arabia, _Ophiomorus_ in East Europe and North Africa, and

_Phrynocephalus_ in Siberia, Tartary, and Afghanistan. We have here a

striking amount of diversity between the Nearctic and Palæarctic regions

with hardly a single point of resemblance.

The Ethiopian region has 13 families, only one of which (the Chamæsauridæ,

consisting of a single species) is altogether peculiar; but it possesses 21

peculiar or characteristic genera, 9 belonging to the Zonuridæ, 2 to the

Sepidæ, 7 to the Geckotidæ, and 3 to the Agamidæ.

The Oriental region has only 8 families, none of which are peculiar; but

there are 28 peculiar genera, 6 belonging to the Scincidæ, 1 to the

Acontiadæ, 5 to the Geckotidæ, and 16 to the Agamidæ. Many lizards being

sand and desert-haunters, it is not surprising that a number of forms are

common to the borderlands of the Oriental and Ethiopian regions; yet the

Sepidæ, so abundant in all Africa, do not range to the peninsula of India;

and the equally Ethiopian Zonuridæ have only one Oriental species, found,

not in the peninsula but in the Khasya Hills. The Acontiadæ alone offer

some analogy to the distribution of the Lemurs, being found in Africa,

Madagascar, Ceylon, and the Moluccas.

The Australian region has 11 families, 3 of which are {404}peculiar; and it

has about 40 peculiar genera in ten families, about half of these genera

belonging to the Scincidæ. Only 3 families of almost universal distribution

are common to the Australian and Neotropical regions, with one species of

the American Iguanidæ in the Fiji Islands, so that, as far as this order is

concerned, these two regions have little resemblance.

The Neotropical region has 15 families, 6 of which are peculiar to it, and

it possesses more than 50 peculiar genera. These are distributed among 12

families, but more than half belong to the Iguanidæ, and half the remainder

to the Teidæ,--the two families especially characteristic of the

Neotropical region. All the Nearctic families which are not of almost

universal distribution are peculiarly Neotropical, showing that the

Lacertilia of the former region have probably been derived almost

exclusively from the latter.

On the whole the distribution of the Lacertilia shows a remarkable amount

of specialization in each of the great tropical regions, whence we may

infer that Southern Asia, Tropical Africa, Australia, and South America,

each obtained their original stock of this order at very remote periods,

and that there has since been little intercommunication between them. The

peculiar affinities indicated by such cases as the Lepidosternidæ, found

only in the tropics of Africa and South America, and _Tachydromus_ in

Eastern Asia and West Africa, may be the results either of once widely

distributed families surviving only in isolated localities where the

conditions are favourable,--or of some partial and temporary geographical

connection, allowing of a limited degree of intermixture of faunas. The

former appears to be the more probable and generally efficient cause, but

the latter may have operated in exceptional cases.

_Fossil Lacertilia._

These date back to the Triassic period, and they are found in most

succeeding formations, but it is not till the Tertiary period that forms

allied to existing genera occur. These are at present too rare and too

ill-defined to throw much light on the geographical distribution of the

order.

{405}_Order III.--RHYNCOCEPHALINA._

FAMILY 53.--RHYNCOCEPHALIDÆ. (1 Genus, 1 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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The singular and isolated genus _Hatteria_--the "Tuatara" or fringed

lizard--which alone constitutes this family, has peculiarities of structure

which separate it from both lizards and crocodiles, and mark it out as an

ancestral type, as distinct from other living reptiles as the Marsupials

are from other Mammalia. It is confined to New Zealand, and is chiefly

found on small islands near the north-east coast, being very rare, if not

extinct, on the main land. A fossil reptile named _Hyperodapedon_, of

Triassic age, has been found in Scotland and India, and is supposed by

Professor Huxley to be more nearly allied to _Hatteria_ than to any other

living animal.

_Order IV.--CROCODILIA._

FAMILY 54.--GAVIALIDÆ. (2 Genera, 3 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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The Gavials are long-snouted Crocodiles with large front teeth, and canines

fitting in notches of the upper jaw. They consist of two genera, _Gavialis_

(1 sp.), inhabiting the Ganges; _Tomistoma_ (2 sp.), found in the rivers of

Borneo and North Australia.

{406}FAMILY 55.--CROCODILIDÆ. (1 Genus, 12 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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-- 2. 3. 4 |-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --|1. 2. 3. 4 |1. 2. 3. 4 |1 -- -- --

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The true Crocodiles, which have the canines in notches, and the large front

teeth in pits in the upper jaw, are widely distributed over the tropical

regions of the globe, inhabiting all the rivers of Africa, the shores and

estuaries of India, Siam, and eastward to North Australia. Other forms

inhabit Cuba, Yucatan, and Guatemala, to Ecuador and the Orinooko. Four

species are Asiatic, one exclusively Australian, three African, and four

American. These have been placed in distinct groups, but Dr. Günther

considers them all to form one genus, _Crocodilus_.

FAMILY 56.--ALLIGATORIDÆ. (1 Genus, 10 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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-- 2. 3 -- |-- -- 3 -- |-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --|-- -- -- --

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The Alligators, which are distinguished by having both the large front

teeth and the canines fitting into pits of the upper jaw, are confined to

the Neotropical, and the southern part of the Nearctic regions, from the

lower Mississippi and Texas through all Tropical America, but they appear

to be absent from the Antilles. They are all placed by Dr. Günther in the

single genus, _Alligator_.

_General Remarks on the Distribution of Crocodilia._

These animals, being few in number and wholly confined to the tropical and

sub-tropical regions, are of comparatively {407}little interest as regards

geographical distribution. America possesses both Crocodiles and

Alligators; India, Crocodiles and Gavials; while Africa has Crocodiles

only. Both Crocodiles and Gavials are found in the northern part of the

Australian region, so that neither of the three families are restricted to

a single region.

_Fossil Crocodilia._

The existing families of the order date back to the Eocene period in

Europe, and the Cretaceous in North America. In the south of England,

Alligators, Gavials and Crocodiles, all occur in Eocene beds, indicating

that the present distribution of these families is the result of partial

extinction, and a gradual restriction of their range--a most instructive

fact, suggesting the true explanation of a large number of cases of

discontinuous distribution which are sometimes held to prove the former

union of lands now divided by the deepest oceans. In more ancient

formations, a number of Crocodilian remains have been discovered which

cannot be classed in any existing families, and which, therefore, throw no

light on the existing distribution of the group.

_Order V.--CHELONIA._

FAMILY 57.--TESTUDINIDÆ. (14 Genera, 126 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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1. 2. 3. 4 |1. 2. 3. 4 | 1. 2 -- 4 |1. 2. 3. 4 |1. 2. 3. 4 |1 -- -- --

| | | | |

The Testudinidæ, including the land and many fresh-water tortoises, are

very widely distributed over the Old and New worlds, but are entirely

absent from Australia. They are especially abundant in the Nearctic region,

as far north as Canada and British Columbia, and almost equally so in the

{408}Neotropical and Oriental regions; in the Ethiopian there is a

considerable diminution in the number of species, and in the Palæarctic

they are still less numerous, being confined to the warmer parts of it,

except one species which extends as far north as Hungary and Prussia. The

genera are:--

_Testudo_ (25 sp.), most abundant in the Ethiopian region, but also

extending over the Oriental region, into South Europe, and the Eastern

States of North America; _Emys_ (64 sp.), abundant in North America and

over the whole Oriental region, less so in the Neotropical and the

Palæarctic regions; _Cinosternon_ (13 sp.), United States and California,

and Tropical America; _Aromochelys_ (4 sp.), confined to the Eastern States

of North America; _Staurotypus_ (2 sp.), Guatemala and Mexico; _Chelydra_

(1 sp.), Canada to Louisiana; _Claudius_ (1 sp.), Mexico; _Dermatemys_ (3

sp.), South America, Guatemala, and Yucatan; _Terrapene_ (4 sp.), Maine to

Mexico, Sumatra to New Guinea, Shanghae and Formosa--a doubtfully natural

group; _Cinyxis_ (3 sp.), _Pyxis_ (1 sp.), _Chersina_ (4 sp.), are all

Ethiopian; _Dumerilia_ (1 sp.), is from Madagascar only.

FAMILY 58.--CHELYDIDÆ. (10 Genera, 44 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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The Chelydidæ, or fresh-water tortoises with imperfectly retractile heads,

have a remarkable distribution in the three great southern continents of

Africa, Australia, and South America; the largest number of species being

found in the latter country. The genera are:--

_Peltocephalus_ (1 sp.), _Podocnemis_ (6 sp.), _Hydromedusa_ (4 sp.),

_Chelys_ (1 sp.), and _Platemys_ (16 sp.), inhabiting South America from

the Orinooko to the La Plata, the latter genus occurring also in Australia

and New Guinea; _Chelodina_ (5 sp.), _Chelemys_ (1 sp.), and _Elseya_ (2

sp.) from Australia; while _Sternotheres_ {409}(6 sp.), and _Pelomedusa_ (3

sp.), inhabit Tropical and South Africa and Madagascar.

FAMILY 59.--TRIONYCHIDÆ. (3 Genera, 25 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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-- -- -- --|-- -- 3 -- |-- -- -- 4 |1. 2. 3 -- |1. 2. 3. 4 |-- -- -- --

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The distribution of the Trionychidæ, or Soft Tortoises, is very different

from that of the Chelydidæ, yet is equally interesting. They abound most in

the Oriental region, extending beyond it to Northern China and Japan. In

the Nearctic region they are only found in the Eastern States,

corresponding curiously to the distribution of plants, in which the

affinity of Japan to the Eastern States is greater than to California. The

Trionychidæ are also found over the Ethiopian region, but not in

Madagascar.

The genera are,--_Trionyx_ (17 sp.), which extends over the whole area of

the family as above indicated; _Cycloderma_ (5 sp.), peculiar to Africa;

_Emyda_ (3 sp.), the peninsula of India, Ceylon, and Africa.

FAMILY 60.--CHELONIIDÆ. (2 Genera, 5 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.--All the warm and tropical Seas.

The Marine Turtles are almost universally distributed. _Dermatochelys_ (1

sp.), is found in the temperate seas of both the Northern and Southern

Hemispheres; _Chelone_ (4 sp.), ranges over all the tropical seas--_C.

viridis_, the epicureans' species, inhabiting the Atlantic, while _C.

imbricata_ which produces the "tortoiseshell" of commerce is found in the

Indian and Pacific oceans.

{410}_Remarks on the Distribution of the Chelonia._

The four families into which the Chelonia are classed have all of them a

wide distribution, though none are universal. The Ethiopian region seems to

be the richest, as it possesses 3 of the four families, while no other

region has more than 2; and it also possesses 7 peculiar genera. Next comes

the Neotropical region with 2 families and 6 peculiar genera; the

Australian with 3, and the Nearctic with 2 peculiar genera; while the

Oriental and Palæarctic regions possess none that are peculiar. There are

about 30 genera and 200 species in the whole order.

_Fossil Chelonia._--The earliest undoubted remains of this order occur in

the Upper Oolite. These belong to the Cheloniidæ and Emydidæ, which are

also found in the Chalk. In the Tertiary beds Chelonia are more abundant,

and the Trionychidæ now appear. The Testudinidæ are first met with in the

Miocene formation of Europe and the Eocene of North America, the most

remarkable being the gigantic _Colossochelys Atlas_ of the Siwalik Hills.

It appears, therefore, that the families of the order Chelonia were already

specialised in the Secondary period, a fact which, together with their more

or less aquatic habits, sufficiently accounts for their generally wide

distribution. Species of _Testudo_, _Emys_, and _Trionyx_, are found in the

Upper Miocene of the south of France.

{411}AMPHIBIA.

_Order I.--PSEUDOPHIDIA._

FAMILY 1.--CÆCILIADÆ. (4 Genera, 10 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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The Cæciliadæ are a curious group of worm-like Amphibia sparingly scattered

over the three great tropical regions. The genera are,--_Cæcilia_, which

inhabits West Africa, Malabar and South America; _Siphonopsis_, peculiar to

Brazil and Mexico; _Ichthyopsis_, from Ceylon and the Khasya Mountains; and

_Rhinatrema_ from Cayenne.

_Order II.--URODELA._

FAMILY 2.--SIRENIDÆ. (1 Genus, 3 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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The genus _Siren_, consisting of eel-like Batrachians with two anterior

feet and permanent branchiæ, inhabits the South-Eastern States of North

America from Texas to Carolina.

{412}FAMILY 3.--PROTEIDÆ. (2 Genera, 4 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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The Proteidæ have four feet and persistent external branchiæ. The two

genera are,--_Proteus_ (1 sp.), found only in caverns of Central Europe;

and _Menobranchus_, which are like newts in form, and inhabit the Eastern

States of North America.

FAMILY 4.--AMPHIUMIDÆ. (1 Genus, 2 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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The genus _Amphiuma_, or _Murænopsis_, consists of slender eel-like

creatures with four rudimentary feet, and no external branchiæ. The species

inhabit the Southern United States from New Orleans to Carolina.

FAMILY 5.--MENOPOMIDÆ. (2 Genera, 4 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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There are large Salamanders of repulsive appearance, found only in Eastern

Asia and the Eastern United States. The genera are,--_Sieboldia_ (2 sp.),

Japan and north-west China; _Menopoma_ = _Protonopsis_ (2 sp.), Ohio and

Alleghany rivers.

{413}FAMILY 6.--SALAMANDRIDÆ. (20 Genera, 85 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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The Salamandridæ, of which our common Newts are characteristic examples,

form an extensive family highly characteristic of the North Temperate

regions, a few species only extending into the Neotropical region along the

Andes to near Bogota, and one into the Oriental region in Western China.

The genera, as arranged by Dr. Strauch, are as follows:--

_Salamandra_ (2 sp.), Central and South Europe and North Africa;

_Pleurodeles_ (1 sp.), Spain, Portugal, and Morocco; _Bradybates_ (1 sp.),

Spain; _Triton_ (16 sp.), all Europe except the extreme north, Algeria,

North China and Japan, Eastern States of North America, California and

Oregon; _Chioglossa_ (2 sp.), Portugal and South Europe; _Salamandrina_ (1

sp.), Italy to Dalmatia; _Ellipsoglossa_ (2 sp.), Japan; _Isodactylium_ (2

sp.), East Siberia; _Onychodactylus_ (1 sp.), Japan; _Amblystoma_ (21 sp.),

Nearctic region from Canada and Oregon to Mexico, most abundant in Eastern

States; _Ranodon_ (1 sp.), Tartary and North-east China; _Dicamptodon_ (1

sp.), California; _Plethodon_ (5 sp.), Massachusetts to Louisiana, and

Vancouver's Island to California; _Desmognathus_ (4 sp.), Eastern United

States south of latitude 43°; _Anaides_ (1 sp.), Oregon and Northern

California; _Hemidactylium_ (2 sp.), South-eastern United States and

Southern California; _Heredia_ (1 sp.), Oregon and California; _Spelerpes_

(18 sp.), Eastern United States from Massachusetts to Mexico, Guatemala,

Costa Rica and Andes of Bogota, with a species in South Europe;

_Batrachoseps_ (2 sp.), South-eastern United States and California;

_Tylotriton_ (1 sp.), Yunan in West China.

{414}_Order III.--ANURA._

FAMILY 7.--RHINOPHRYNIDÆ. (1 Genus, 1 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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The Rhinophrynidæ are Toads with imperfect ears and a tongue which is free

in front. The single species of _Rhinophrynus_, is a native of Mexico.

FAMILY 8.--PHRYNISCIDÆ. (5 Genera, 13 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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The Phryniscidæ, or Toads with imperfect ears and tongue fixed in front,

are widely distributed over the warmer regions of the earth, but are most

abundant in the Neotropical region and Australia, while only single species

occur in the Old World. The genera are:--

_Phryniscus_ (7 sp.), from Costa Rica to Chili and Monte Video;

_Brachycephalus_ (1 sp.), Brazil; _Pseudophryne_ (3 sp.), Australia and

Tasmania; _Hemisus_ (1 sp.), Tropical Africa; _Micrhyla_ (1 sp.), Java.

FAMILY 9.--HYLAPLESIDÆ. (1 Genus, 5 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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{415}The Hylaplesidæ are Toads with perfect ears, and they seem to be

confined to the Neotropical region. The only genus, _Hylaplesia_ (5 sp.),

inhabits Brazil, Chili, and the Island of Hayti.

FAMILY 10.--BUFONIDÆ. (6 Genera, 64 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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| | | | |

The rather extensive family of the Bufonidæ, which includes our common

Toad, and is characterised by prominent neck glands and tongue fixed in

front, is almost universally distributed, but is very rare in the

Australian region; one species being found in Celebes and one in Australia.

The genera are:--

_Kalophrynus_ (2 sp.), Borneo; _Bufo_ (58 sp.), has the range of the entire

family, except Australia; _Otilophus_ (1 sp.), South America; _Peltaphryne_

(1 sp.), Porto Rico; _Pseudobufo_ (1 sp.), Malay Peninsula; _Schismaderma_

(1 sp.), Natal; _Notaden_ (1 sp.), East Central Australia.

FAMILY 11.--XENORHINIDÆ. (1 Genus, 1 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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The Xenorhinidæ may be characterised as Toads with perfect ears and tongue

free in front. The only species of _Xenorhina_ is a native of New Guinea.

{416}FAMILY 12.--ENGYSTOMIDÆ. (15 Genera, 31 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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The Engystomidæ are Toads without neck-glands and with the tongue tied in

front. They are most abundant in the Oriental and Neotropical regions,

especially in the latter, which contains about half the known species, with

isolated species in Australia, Africa, and the Southern States of North

America. They appear to be the remnant of a once extensive and universally

distributed group, which has maintained itself in two remote regions, but

is dying out everywhere else. The genera are:--

_Engystoma_ (9 sp.), Carolina to La Plata, with one species in South China;

_Diplopelma_ (3 sp.), South India to China and Java; _Cacopus_ (2 sp.),

Central India; _Glyphoglossus_ (1 sp.), Pegu; _Callula_ (4 sp.), Sikhim,

Ceylon, China, and Borneo; _Brachymerus_ (1 sp.), South Africa; _Adenomera_

(1 sp.), Brazil; _Pachybatrachus_ (1 sp.), Australia; _Breviceps_ (2 sp.),

South and West Africa; _Chelydobatrachus_ (1 sp.), West Australia;

_Hypopachus_ (1 sp.), Costa Rica; _Rhinoderma_ (1 sp.), Chili; _Atelopus_

(1 sp.), Cayenne and Peru; _Copea_ (1 sp.), South America; _Paludicola_ (1

sp.), New Granada.

FAMILY 13.--BOMBINATORIDÆ. (8 Genera, 9 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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The Bombinatoridæ are a family of Frogs which have imperfect ears and no

neck-glands, and they have a very peculiar and {417}interesting

distribution, being confined to Central and South Europe, the southern part

of South America, and New Zealand. They consist of many isolated groups

forming five separate sub-families. The genera are:--

_Bombinator_, Central Europe and Italy; _Pelobates_ and _Didocus_, Central

Europe and Spain; _Telmatobius_ (2 sp.), Peru and Brazil; _Alsodes_, Chonos

Archipelago; _Cacotus_, Chili; _Liopelma_, New Zealand; _Nannophryne_,

Straits of Magellan.

FAMILY 14.--PLECTROMANTIDÆ. (1 Genus, 1 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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The Plectromantidæ, which are Frogs with neck-glands, and the toes but not

the fingers dilated, consists of a single species of the genus

_Plectromantis_. It inhabits the region west of the Andes, and south of the

Equator.

FAMILY 15.--ALYTIDÆ. (5 Genera, 37 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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The Alytidæ are Frogs with neck-glands and undilated toes. They are most

abundant in the Ethiopian region, with a few species in the Nearctic and

Australian regions, and one in Europe and Brazil respectively. The genera

are:--

_Alytes_ (1 sp.), Central Europe; _Scaphiopus_ (5 sp.), California to

Mexico and the Eastern States; _Hyperolius_ (29 sp.), all Africa, and two

in New Guinea and North Australia; _Helioporus_ (1 sp.), in Australia;

_Nattereria_ (1 sp.), Brazil.

{418}FAMILY 16.--PELODRYADÆ. (3 Genera, 7 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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The Pelodryadæ are Tree Frogs with neck-glands, and are confined to the

Australian and Neotropical regions. The genera are:--

_Phyllomedusa_ (3 sp.), South America to Paraguay; _Chirodryas_, Australia;

and _Pelodryas_ (3 sp.), Moluccas, New Guinea and Australia.

FAMILY 17.--HYLIDÆ. (11 Genera, 94 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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The Hylidæ are glandless Tree Frogs with a broadened sacrum. They are most

abundant in the Neotropical region, which contains more than two-thirds of

the species; about twenty species are Australian; six or seven are

Nearctic, reaching northward to Great Bear Lake; while one only is

European, and one Oriental. The genera are:--

_Hyla_ (62 sp.), having the range of the whole family; _Hylella_ (1 sp.),

_Ololygon_ (1 sp.), _Pohlia_ (2 sp.), _Triprion_ (1 sp.), _Opisthodelphys_

(1 sp.), and _Nototrema_ (4 sp.), are South American; while

_Trachycephalus_ (8 sp.), is peculiar to the Antilles, except one South

American species; _Pseudacris_ (1 sp.), ranges from Georgia, United States,

to Great Bear Lake; _Litoria_ (7 sp.), is Australian and Papuan, except one

species in Paraguay; _Ceratohyla_ (4 sp.), is only known from Ecuador.

{419}FAMILY 18.--POLYPEDATIDÆ. (24 Genera, 124 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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The Polypedatidæ, or glandless Tree Frogs with narrowed sacrum, are almost

equally numerous in the Oriental and Neotropical regions, more than forty

species inhabiting each, while in the Ethiopian there are about half this

number, and the remainder are scattered over the other three regions, as

shown in the enumeration of the genera:--

_Ixalus_ (16 sp.), Oriental, except one in Japan, and one in Western

Polynesia; _Rhacophorus_ (7 sp.), and _Theloderma_ (1 sp.), are Oriental;

_Hylarana_ (10 sp.), Oriental, to the Solomon Islands and Tartary, Nicobar

Islands, West Africa, and Madagascar; _Megalixalus_ (1 sp.), Seychelle

Islands; _Leptomantis_ (1 sp.), Philippines; _Platymantis_ (5 sp.), New

Guinea, Philippines, and Fiji Islands; _Cornufer_ (2 sp.), Java and New

Guinea; _Polypedates_ (19 sp.), mostly Oriental, but two species in West

Africa, one Madagascar, two Japan, one Loo-Choo Islands, and one Hong Kong;

_Hylambates_ (3 sp.), _Hemimantis_ (1 sp.), and _Chiromantis_ (1 sp.), are

Ethiopian; _Rappia_ (13 sp.), is Ethiopian, and extends to Madagascar and

the Seychelle Islands; _Acris_ (2 sp.), is North American; _Elosia_ (1

sp.), _Epirhixis_ (1 sp.), _Phyllobates_ (9 sp.), _Hylodes_ (26 sp.),

_Hyloxalus_ (1 sp.), _Pristimantis_ (1 sp.), _Crossodactylus_ (1 sp.),

_Calostethus_ (1 sp.), _Strabomantis_ (1 sp.), and _Leiyla_ (1 sp.), are

Neotropical, the last two being Central American, while species of

_Hylodes_ and _Phyllobates_ are found in the West Indian Islands.

{420}FAMILY 19.--RANIDÆ. (26 Genera, 150 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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The Ranidæ, or true Frogs, are characterised by having simple undilated

toes, but neither neck-glands nor dilated sacrum. They are almost

cosmopolitan, extending to the extreme north and south from the North Cape

to Patagonia, and they are equally at home in the tropics. They are perhaps

most abundant in South America, where a large number of the genera and

species are found; the Ethiopian region comes next, while they are rather

less abundant in the Oriental and Australian regions; the Nearctic region

has much less (about 12 species), while the Palæarctic has only five, and

these two northern regions only possess the single genus _Rana_. The genera

are distributed as follows:--

_Rana_ (60 sp.), ranges all over the world, except Australia and South

America, although it extends into New Guinea and into Mexico and Central

America; it is most abundant in Africa. _Pyxicephalus_ (7 sp.), extends

over the whole Ethiopian region, Hindostan, the Himalayas, and Japan;

_Cystignathus_ (22 sp.), is mainly Neotropical, but has three species

Ethiopian. All the other genera are confined to single regions. The

Neotropical genera are:--_Odontophrynus_ (1 sp.), _Pseudis_ (1 sp.),

_Pithecopsis_ (1 sp.), _Ensophleus_ (1 sp.), _Limnocharis_ (1 sp.),

_Hemiphractus_ (1 sp.), all Tropical South American east of Andes;

_Ceratophrys_ (5 sp.), Panama to La Plata; _Cycloramphus_ (1 sp.), West

Ecuador and Chili; _Pleurodema_ (6 sp.), Venezuela to Patagonia;

_Leiuperus_ (12 sp.), Mexico and St. Domingo to Patagonia; _Hylorhina_ (1

sp.), Chiloe. The Australian genera are:--_Myxophyes_ (1 sp.), Queensland;

_Platyplectrum_ (2 sp.), Queensland and West Australia; _Neobatrachus_ (1

sp.), South Australia; _Limnodynastes_ (7 sp.), and _Crinia_ (11 sp.),

Australia and Tasmania. The {421}Oriental genera are:--_Dicroglossus_ (1

sp.), Western Himalayas; _Oxyglossus_ (2 sp.), Siam to Java, Philippines

and China; _Hoplobatrachus_ (1 sp.), Ceylon; _Phrynoglossus_ (1 sp.), Siam.

The Ethiopian genera are:--_Phrynobatrachus_ (1 sp.), _Stenorhynchus_ (1

sp.), both from Natal.

FAMILY 20.--DISCOGLOSSIDÆ, (14 Genera, 18 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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The Discoglossidæ, or Frogs with a dilated sacrum, are remarkable for the

number of generic forms scattered over a large part of the globe, being

only absent from the Nearctic and the northern half of the Neotropical

regions, and also from Hindostan and East Africa. The genera are:--

_Chiroleptes_ (4 sp.), Australia; _Calyplocephalus_ (1 sp.), allied to the

preceding, from Chili; _Cryptotis_ (1 sp.), Australia; _Asterophys_ (2

sp.), New Guinea and Aru Islands; _Xenophrys_ (1 sp.), Eastern Himalayas;

_Megalophrys_ (2 sp.), Ceylon and the Malay Islands; _Nannophrys_ (1 sp.),

Ceylon; _Pelodytes_ (1 sp.), France only; _Leptobrachium_ (1 sp.), Java;

_Discoglossus_ (1 sp.), Vienna to Algiers; _Laprissa_ (1 sp.), _Latonia_ (1

sp.), Palæarctic region; _Arthroleptis_ (2 sp.), West Africa and the Cape;

_Grypiscus_ (1 sp.), South Brazil.

FAMILY 21.--PIPIDÆ. (1 Genus, 1 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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{422}The Pipidæ are toads without a tongue or maxillary teeth, and with

enormously dilated sacrum. The only species of _Pipa_ is a native of

Guiana.

FAMILY 22.--DACTYLETHRIDÆ. (1 Genus, 2 Species.)

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION.

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The Dactylethridæ are Toads with maxillary teeth but no tongue, and with

enormously dilated sacrum. The species of _Dactylethra_ are natives of

West, East, and South Africa.

_General Remarks on the Distribution of the Amphibia._

The Amphibia, as here enumerated, consist of 22 families, 152 genera, and

nearly 700 species. Many of the families have a very limited range, only

two (Ranidæ and Polypedatidæ) being nearly universal; five more extend each

into five regions, while no less than thirteen of the families are confined

to one, two, or three regions each. By far the richest region is the

Neotropical, possessing 16 families (four of them peculiar) and about 50

peculiar or very characteristic genera. Next comes the Australian, with 11

families (one of which is peculiar) and 16 peculiar genera. The Nearctic

region has no less than 9 of the families (two of them peculiar to it) and

15 peculiar genera, 13 of which are tailed Batrachians which have here

their metropolis. The other three regions have 9 families each; the

Palæarctic has no peculiar family but no less than 15 peculiar genera; the

Ethiopian 1 family and 12 genera peculiar to it; and the Oriental, 19

genera but no family confined to it.

It is evident, therefore, that each of the regions is well characterised by

its peculiar forms of Amphibia, there being only a few genera, such as

_Hyla_, _Rana_, and _Bufo_ which have a wide range. The connection of the

Australian and Neotropical {423}regions is well shown in this group, by the

Phryniscidæ, Hylidæ, and Discoglossidæ, which present allied forms in both;

as well as by the genus _Liopelma_ of New Zealand, allied to the

Bombinatoridæ of South America, and the absence of the otherwise

cosmopolitan genus _Rana_ from both continents. The affinity of the

Nearctic and Palæarctic regions is shown by the Proteidæ, which are

confined to them, as well as by the genus _Triton_ and almost the whole of

the extensive family of the Salamandridæ. The other regions are also well

differentiated, and there is no sign of a special Ethiopian Amphibian fauna

extending over the peninsula of India, or of the Oriental and Palæarctic

regions merging into each other, except by means of genera of universal

distribution.

_Fossil Amphibia._--The extinct Labyrinthodontia form a separate order,

which existed from the Carboniferous to the Triassic period. No other

remains of this class are found till we reach the Tertiary formation, when

Newts and Salamanders as well as Frogs and Toads occur, most frequently in

the Miocene deposits. The most remarkable is the _Andrias scheuchzeri_ from

the Miocene of Oeningen, which is allied to _Sieboldia maxima_ the great

salamander of Japan.

{424}CHAPTER XX.

THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE FAMILIES OF FISHES, WITH THE RANGE OF SUCH GENERA

AS INHABIT FRESH WATER.

SUB-CLASS I.--TELEOSTEI.

_Order I.--ACANTHOPTERYGII._

FAMILY 1.--GASTEROSTEIDÆ. (1 Genus, 11 Species.)

"Fresh-water or marine scaleless fishes, with elongate compressed bodies

and with isolated spines before the dorsal fin."

DISTRIBUTION.--Palæarctic and Nearctic regions.

The species of _Gasterosteus_, commonly called Sticklebacks, are found in

rivers, lakes, estuaries, and seas, as far south as Italy and Ohio. Four

species occur in Britain.

FAMILY 2.--BERYCIDÆ. (10 Genera, 55 Species.)

"Marine fishes, with elevated compressed bodies covered with toothed

scales, and large eyes."

DISTRIBUTION.--Tropical and temperate seas of both hemispheres.

Their northern limit is the Mediterranean and Japan. Most abundant in the

Malayan seas.

{425}FAMILY 3.--PERCIDÆ. (61 Genera, 476 Species.)

"Marine or fresh-water carnivorous fishes, with oblong bodies covered with

toothed scales."

DISTRIBUTION.--Seas, rivers and lakes, of all regions.

The genera which inhabit fresh-waters are the following:--

_Perca_ (3 sp.), inhabits the Nearctic and Palæarctic regions as far south

as Ohio and Switzerland; one species, the common perch, is British.

_Percichthys_ (5 sp.), Chili and Patagonia, with one species in Java;

_Paralabrax_ (2 sp.), California; _Labrax_ (8 sp.), six species are marine,

inhabiting the shores of Europe and North America, one being British, two

species inhabit the rivers of the northern United States; _Lates_ (2 sp.),

Nile and large rivers of India and China; _Acerina_ (3 sp.), Europe, from

England to Russia and Siberia; _Percarina_ (1 sp.), River Dniester;

_Lucioperca_ (6 sp.), North America and Europe; _Pileoma_ (2 sp.), North

America, Texas to Lake Erie; _Boleosoma_ (3 sp.), Texas to Lake Superior;

_Aspro_ (2 sp.), Central Europe; _Huro_ (1 sp.), Lake Huron; _Percilia_, (1

sp.), Rio de Maypu in Chili; _Centrarchus_ (10 sp.), North America and

Cuba; _Bryttus_ (8 sp.), South Carolina to Texas; _Pomotis_ (8 sp.), North

America, Lake Erie to Texas.

Of the exclusively marine genera a species of _Polyprion_ and one of

_Serranus_ are British. The latter genus has nearly 150 species spread over

the globe, but is most abundant in the Tropics. _Mesoprion_ is another

extensive genus confined to the Tropics. _Apogon_ abounds from the Red Sea

to the Pacific, but has one species in the Mediterranean and one in the

coast of Brazil.

FAMILY 4.--APHREDODERIDÆ. (1 Genus, 1 Species.)

"Fresh-water fish, with oblong body covered with toothed scales, and wide

cleft mouth."

DISTRIBUTION.--Atlantic States of North America.

{426}FAMILY 5.--PRISTIPOMATIDÆ. (25 Genera, 206 Species.)

"Marine carnivorous fishes, with compressed oblong bodies, and without

molar or cutting teeth."

DISTRIBUTION.--Seas of temperate and tropical regions, a few only entering

fresh water.

Of the more extensive genera, nine, comprising more than half the species,

are confined to the Indian and Australian seas, while only one large genus

(_Hæmulon_) is found in the Atlantic on the coast of Tropical America. The

extensive Pacific genus, _Diagramma_, has one species in the Mediterranean.

One genus is confined to the Macquarie River in Australia. A species of

_Dentex_ has occurred on the English coast, and this seems to be the

extreme northern range of the family, which does not regularly extend

beyond the coast of Portugal, and in the East to Japan. Australia seems to

form the southern limit.

FAMILY 6.--MULLIDÆ. (5 Genera, 34 Species.)

"Marine fishes, with elongate slightly compressed bodies covered with large

scales, and two dorsal fins at a distance from each other."

DISTRIBUTION.--All tropical seas, except the West Coast of America,

extending into temperate regions as far as the Baltic, Japan, and New

Zealand.

Two species of _Mullus_ (Mullets) are British, and these are the only

European fish belonging to the family.

FAMILY 7.--SPARIDÆ. (22 Genera, 117 Species.)

"Herbivorous or carnivorous marine fishes, with oblong compressed bodies

covered with minutely serrated scales, and with one dorsal fin."

DISTRIBUTION.--Seas of temperate and tropical regions, a few entering

rivers.

{427}_Cantharus_, _Pagellus_, and _Chrysophrys_, have occurred on the

English Coast. _Haplodactylus_ is confined to the West Coast of South

America, and Australia; _Sargus_ to the temperate and warm parts of the

Atlantic and the shores of East Africa; _Pagellus_ to the western coasts of

Europe and Africa.

The other large genera have a wider distribution.

FAMILY 8.--SQUAMIPENNES. (12 Genera, 124 Species.)

"Carnivorous marine fishes, with compressed and elevated bodies, and scaly

vertical fins."

DISTRIBUTION.--The seas between the tropics, most abundant in the Oriental

and Australian regions, a few entering rivers or extending beyond the

tropics.

The extensive genus _Chætodon_ (67 sp.), ranges from the Red Sea to the

Sandwich Islands, and from Japan to Western Australia, while two species

are found in the West Indies. _Holacanthus_ (36 sp.), has a similar

distribution, one species only occurring in the West Indies and on the

coast of South America. Only one genus (_Pomacanthus_), with a single

species, is confined to the West Atlantic.

FAMILY 9.--CIRRHITIDÆ. (8 Genera, 34 Species.)

"Carnivorous marine fishes, with a compressed oblong body, covered with

cycloid scales."

DISTRIBUTION.--The tropical and south temperate waters of the Indian and

Pacific oceans, from Eastern Africa to Western America. Absent from the

Atlantic.

FAMILY 10.--TRIGLIDÆ. (50 Genera, 259 Species.)

"Carnivorous, mostly marine fishes, with oblong compressed or

subcylindrical bodies, and wide cleft mouths. They live at the bottom of

the water."

DISTRIBUTION.--All seas, some entering fresh water, and a few inhabiting

exclusively the fresh waters of the Arctic regions.

{428}They are divided by Dr. Günther into four groups. The Heterolepidina

(comprising 4 genera and 12 species) are confined to the North Pacific. The

Scorpænina (23 genera, 113 species) have an almost universal distribution,

but the genera are each restricted to one or other of the great oceans.

_Sebastes_ has occurred on the English coast. The Cottina (28 genera, 110

species) have also a universal distribution; the numerous species of

_Cottus_ are found either in the seas or fresh waters of Europe and North

America; four species are British, as well as seven species of the

wide-spread genus _Trigla_. _Ptyonotus_ (1 sp.) is confined to Lake

Ontario. The Cataphracti (5 genera, 23 species) have also a wide range; one

genus, _Agonus_, is found in the British seas, and also in Kamschatka and

on the coast of Chili. _Peristethus_ is also British.

FAMILY 11.--TRACHINIDÆ (24 Genera, 90 Species.)

"Carnivorous marine fishes, with elongate bodies, living at the bottom,

near the shore."

DISTRIBUTION.--Almost or quite universal.

_Trachinus_ is a British genus. A species of _Aphritis_ inhabits the fresh

waters of Tasmania, while its two allies are found on the coasts of

Patagonia.

FAMILY 12. SCIÆNIDÆ. (13 Genera, 102 Species.)

"Marine or fresh-water fishes, with compressed and rather elongate bodies,

covered with toothed scales."

DISTRIBUTION.--Temperate and tropical regions, but absent from Australia.

_Larimus_ is found in the Atlantic, and in African and American rivers.

_Corvina_, _Sciæna_, and _Otilothus_ are also marine and fresh-water, both

in the Atlantic and Pacific. The other genera are of small extent and more

restricted range. _Umbrina_ and _Sciæna_ have occurred in British seas.

{429}FAMILY 13.--POLYNEMIDÆ. (3 Genera, 23 Species.)

"Marine or fresh-water fishes, with compressed oblong bodies and entire or

ciliated scales."

DISTRIBUTION.--Tropical seas and rivers of both the great oceans, but most

abundant in the Pacific.

FAMILY 14.--SPHYRENIDÆ. (1 Genus, 15 Species.)

"Carnivorous marine fishes, with elongate sub-cylindrical bodies covered

with small cycloid scales."

DISTRIBUTION.--The warm and tropical seas of the globe.

FAMILY 15.--TRICHIURIDÆ. (7 Genera, 18 Species.)

"Marine fishes, with elongate compressed bodies covered with minute scales

or naked."

DISTRIBUTION.--All the tropical and sub-tropical seas.

FAMILY 16.--SCOMBRIDÆ. (20 Genera, 108 Species.)

"Marine fishes, with elongate compressed bodies, scaled or naked."

DISTRIBUTION.--All the temperate and tropical oceans. Mostly inhabiting the

open seas.

_Scomber_, (the Mackerel) _Thynnus_, _Naucrates_, _Zeus_, _Centrolophus_,

_Brama_, and _Lampris_, are genera which have occurred in the British seas.

FAMILY 17.--CARANGIDÆ. (27 Genera, 171 Species.)

"Marine fishes, with compressed oblong or elevated bodies covered with

small scales or naked."

DISTRIBUTION.--All temperate and tropical seas; some species occur in both

the great oceans, ranging from New York to Australia.

_Trachurus_ and _Capros_ are genera which occur in British seas.

{430}FAMILY 18.--XIPHIIDÆ. (2 Genera, 8 Species.)

"Marine fishes, with elongate compressed body and a produced sword-shaped

upper jaw."

DISTRIBUTION.--Mediterranean, and open seas between or near the Tropics.

_Xiphias_ (the Sword-fish) has occurred on the English coast.

FAMILY 19.--GOBIIDÆ. (24 Genera, 294 Species.)

"Carnivorous fishes, with elongate low, naked, or scaly bodies, living at

the bottom of the shallow seas or fresh waters of temperate or tropical

regions. Individuals of the same species often differ in inhabiting

exclusively fresh or salt water."

DISTRIBUTION.--All temperate and tropical regions, from Scotland and Japan

to New Zealand. Species of _Gobius_, _Latrunculus_, and _Callionymus_ occur

in Britain. Several genera are confined to the East Indian seas and rivers,

but none seem peculiar to America. The genus _Periopthalmus_ consists of

the curious, large-headed, projecting-eyed fishes, so abundant on the muddy

shores of African and Eastern tidal rivers, and which seem to spend most of

their time out of water, hunting after insects, &c.

FAMILY 20.--DISCOBOLI. (2 Genera, 11 Species.)

"Carnivorous fishes, with oblong naked or tubercular bodies, living at the

bottom of shallow seas, and attaching themselves to rocks by means of a

ventral disc."

DISTRIBUTION.--All northern seas, as far south as Belgium, England, and San

Francisco.

Species of both genera (_Cyclopterus_ and _Liparis_) occur in British seas.

{431}FAMILY 21.--OXUDERCIDÆ. (1 Genus, 1 Species.)

"A marine fish, with an elongate sub-cylindrical body and no ventral fins."

DISTRIBUTION.--Macao, China.

FAMILY 22.--BATRACHIDÆ. (3 Genera, 12 Species.)

"Marine fishes, with sub-cylindrical body and broad depressed head."

DISTRIBUTION.--The coasts of nearly all tropical and south temperate

regions, ranging from New York and Portugal to Chili and Tasmania.

FAMILY 23.--PEDICULATI. (8 Genera, 40 Species.)

"Marine carnivorous fishes, with very large heads and without scales."

DISTRIBUTION.--Seas of all temperate and tropical regions, extending south

to New Zealand and north to Greenland.

A species of _Lophius_ (the Fishing-frog or Sea-Devil) is found in British

seas. The genus _Antennarius_, comprising two-thirds of the species, is

wholly tropical.

FAMILY 24.--BLENNIDÆ. (33 Genera, 201 Species.)

"Carnivorous fishes, with long sub-cylindrical naked bodies, living at the

bottom of shallow water in seas, or tidal rivers."

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.

{432}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.)

"Deep sea fishes, with elongate, much compressed, naked bodies."

DISTRIBUTION.--Europe, East Indies, West Coast of South America, New

Zealand. Dr. Günther remarks, that little is known of these fishes, from

their being so seldom thrown on shore, and then rapidly decomposing. The

Ribbon-fish (_Regalecus banksii_) has occurred frequently on our shores.

They have soft bones and muscles, small mouths, and weak dentition.

FAMILY 28.--LOPHOTIDÆ. (1 Genus, 1 Species.)

"A marine fish, with elongate compressed naked body, and high crested

head."

DISTRIBUTION.--Mediterranean Sea and Japan.

{433}FAMILY 29.--TEUTHIDIDÆ. (1 Genus, 29 Species.)

"Marine, herbivorous fishes, with compressed, oblong, small-scaled bodies."

DISTRIBUTION.--Eastern tropical seas, from Bourbon and the Red Sea to the

Marianne and Fiji Islands.

FAMILY 30.--ACRONURIDÆ. (5 Genera, 64 Species.)

"Marine, herbivorous fishes, with compressed, minutely-scaled bodies."

DISTRIBUTION.--All tropical seas, but most abundant in the Malay region,

and extending to Japan and New Zealand.

FAMILY 31.--HOPLEGNATHIDÆ. (1 Genus, 3 Species.)

"Marine fishes, with compressed elevated bodies, covered with very small

toothed scales."

DISTRIBUTION.--Seas of Australia, China, and Japan.

FAMILY 32.--MALACANTHIDÆ. (1 Genus, 3 Species.)

"Marine fishes, with elongate bodies covered with very small scales, and

with very long dorsal and anal fins."

DISTRIBUTION.--Atlantic coasts of Tropical America, Mauritius, and New

Guinea.

FAMILY 33.--NANDIDÆ. (6 Genera, 14 Species.)

"Marine or fresh-water carnivorous fishes, with oblong, compressed, scaly

bodies."

DISTRIBUTION.--From the Red Sea to the coasts of China and Australia; and

the fresh waters of the Neotropical and Oriental regions. _Badis_,

_Nandus_, and _Catopra_ inhabit the {434}rivers of India and the Malay

Islands; _Acharnes_ the rivers of British Guiana.

FAMILY 34.--POLYCENTRIDÆ. (2 Genera, 3 Species.)

"Fresh-water carnivorous fishes, with compressed elevated scaly bodies, and

many-spined dorsal and anal fins."

DISTRIBUTION.--Rivers of Tropical America.

FAMILY 35.--LABYRINTHICI. (9 Genera, 25 Species.)

"Fresh-water fishes, with compressed oblong bodies, and capable of living

for some time out of water or in dried mud."

DISTRIBUTION.--Fresh waters of South Africa and the East Indies from the

Mauritius to China, the Philippines, Celebes, and Amboyna.

FAMILY 36.--LUCIOCEPHALIDÆ. (1 Genus, 1 Species.)

"Fresh-water fish, with elongate scaled body, and a dilated branchial

membrane."

DISTRIBUTION.--Rivers of Borneo, Biliton, and Banca.

FAMILY 37.--ATHERINIDÆ. (3 Genera, 39 Species.)

"Marine or fresh-water carnivorous fishes, with subcylindrical scaled

bodies, and feeble dentition."

DISTRIBUTION.--All temperate and tropical seas, from Scotland and New York

to the Straits of Magellan and Tasmania.

_Atherina presbyter_ occurs in British seas. Species of _Atherina_ and

_Atherinichthis_ are found in fresh-water lakes and rivers in Europe,

America, and Australia.

{435}FAMILY 38.--MUGILIDÆ. (3 Genera, 78 Species.)

"Fresh-water and marine fishes, with oblong compressed bodies, cycloid

scales, and small mouths, often without teeth."

DISTRIBUTION.--Coasts and fresh waters of all temperate and tropical

regions.

_Mugil_ (66 sp.) is mostly marine, and is very widely distributed; several

species (Grey Mullets) occur on the British coasts. _Agonostoma_ (9 sp.) is

confined to the fresh waters of the West Indies, Central America, New

Zealand, Australia, Celebes, and the Comoro Islands. _Myxus_ (3 sp.) is

marine, and occurs both in the Atlantic and Pacific.

FAMILY 39.--OPHIOCEPHALIDÆ. (2 Genera, 26 Species.)

"Fresh-water fishes, with elongate subcylindrical scaled bodies; often

leaving the water for a considerable time."

DISTRIBUTION.--Rivers of the Oriental region:--India, Ceylon, China, Malay

Islands to Philippines and Borneo.

FAMILY 40.--TRICHONOTIDÆ. (2 Genera, 2 Species.)

"Marine carnivorous fishes, with elongate subcylindrical bodies, cycloid

scales, and eyes directed upwards."

DISTRIBUTION.--Coasts of Celebes, Ceram, and New Zealand.

FAMILY 41.--CEPOLIDÆ. (1 Genus, 7 Species.)

"Marine fishes, with very long, compressed, band-like bodies, covered with

small cycloid scales."

DISTRIBUTION.--Temperate seas of Western Europe and Eastern Asia, and one

species in the Malayan Seas.

_Cepola rubescens_ (the Band fish) ranges from Scotland to the

Mediterranean. All the other species but one are from Japan.

{436}FAMILY 42.--GOBIESOCIDÆ. (9 Genera, 21 Species.)

"Carnivorous marine fishes, elongate, anteriorly depressed and scaleless,

with dorsal fin on the tail."

DISTRIBUTION.--Temperate and tropical seas; Scandinavia to the Cape,

California to Chili, West Indies, Red Sea, Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji

Islands.

Three species of _Lepadogaster_ have occurred in the English Channel.

FAMILY 43.--PSYCHROLUTIDÆ. (1 Genus, 1 Species.)

"A large-headed, elongate, naked marine fish, with small teeth, and dorsal

fin on the tail."

DISTRIBUTION.--West Coast of North America (Vancouver's Island.)

FAMILY 44.--CENTRISCIDÆ. (2 Genera, 7 Species.)

"Marine fishes, with compressed, oblong or elevated bodies, elongate

tubular mouth and no teeth."

DISTRIBUTION.--West Coast of Europe and Africa, Mediterranean, Indian Ocean

to Java, Philippines, and Japan.

A species of _Centriscus_ has occurred on the South Coast of England, and

another species is found both at Madeira and Japan.

FAMILY 45.--FISTULARIDÆ. (2 Genera, 4 Species.)

"Marine fishes, very elongate, with long tubular mouth and small teeth."

DISTRIBUTION.--Tropical seas, both in the Atlantic and Indian Ocean, and as

far east as the New Hebrides.

{437}FAMILY 46.--MASTACEMBELIDÆ. (2 Genera, 9 Species.)

"Fresh-water fishes, with eel-like bodies and very long dorsal fin."

DISTRIBUTION.--Rivers of the Oriental region, one species from Ceram (?).

FAMILY 47.--NOTACANTHI. (1 Genus, 5 Species.)

"Marine fishes, with elongate bodies covered with very small scales, and

snout protruding beyond the mouth."

DISTRIBUTION.--Greenland, Mediterranean, and West Australia.

_Order II.--ACANTHOPTERYGII PHARYNGOGNATHI._

FAMILY 48.--POMACENTRIDÆ. (8 Genera, 143 Species.)

"Marine fishes, with short compressed bodies covered with toothed scales,

and with feeble dentition."

DISTRIBUTION.--Tropical parts of Pacific and Indian Ocean, less numerous in

Tropical Atlantic, a few reaching the Mediterranean, Japan, and South

Australia. _Pomacentrus_, _Glyphidodon_, and _Heliastes_ are Atlantic

genera.

FAMILY 49.--LABRIDÆ. (46 Genera, 396 Species.)

"Herbivorous or carnivorous marine fishes, with elongate bodies covered

with cycloid scales, and teeth adapted for crushing the shells of

mollusca."

DISTRIBUTION.--Temperate and tropical regions of all parts of the globe.

The genera _Labrus_, _Crenilabrus_, _Ctenolabrus_, _Acantholabrus_,

_Centrolabrus_, and _Coris_, have occurred in British seas, and all of

{438}these, except the last, are confined to the Mediterranean and the

Atlantic as far as Madeira. Eight other genera are characteristic of the

Atlantic, most of them being West Indian, but one from the coasts of North

America. Seven genera are common to all the great oceans; the remainder

being confined to the Indian and Pacific Oceans, ranging from Japan to New

Zealand, but being far more abundant between the Tropics.

FAMILY 50.--EMBROTOCIDÆ. (2 Genera, 17 Species.)

"Marine viviparous fishes, with compressed elevated bodies covered with

cycloid scales, and with small teeth."

DISTRIBUTION.--Pacific Ocean from Japan and California northwards. One

species enters the fresh waters of California.

FAMILY 51.--GERRIDÆ. (1 Genus, 28 Species.)

"Marine fishes, with compressed oblong bodies covered with minutely

serrated scales, and with small teeth."

DISTRIBUTION.--Tropical seas; ranging south as far as the Cape of Good Hope

and Australia, and north to Japan and (one species) to New Jersey, U.S.

FAMILY 52.--CHROMIDÆ. (19 Genera, 100 Species.)

"Fresh-water herbivorous or carnivorous fishes, with elevated or elongate

scaly bodies, and small teeth."

DISTRIBUTION.--The Oriental, Ethiopian, and Neotropical regions.

_Eutroplus_ (2 sp.) is from the rivers of Southern India and Ceylon;

_Chromis_ (15 sp.), _Sarotherodon_ (2 sp.), and _Hemichromis_ (4 sp.), are

from the rivers and lakes of Africa, extending to the Sahara and Palestine.

The remaining 15 genera are American, and several of them have a restricted

distribution. _Acara_ (17 sp.) inhabits Tropical South America and the

Antilies; _Theraps_ (1 sp.), Guatemala; _Heros_ (26 sp.), Texas and

{439}Mexico to La Plata; _Mesonauta_ (1 sp.), Brazil; _Petenia_ (1 sp.),

Lake Peten, Guatemala; _Uaru_ (2 sp.), Brazil; _Hygrogonus_ (1 sp.),

Brazil; _Cichla_ (4 sp.), Equatorial America; _Crenicichla_ (9 sp.), Brazil

and Guiana; _Chætobranchus_ (3 sp.), Brazil and Guiana; _Mesops_ (2 sp.),

Brazil; _Satanoperca_ (7 sp.), Amazon Valley and Guiana; _Geophagus_ (1

sp.), North Brazil and Guiana; _Symphysodon_ (1 sp.), Lower Amazon;

_Pterophyllum_ (1 sp.), Lower Amazon.

_Order III.--ANACANTHINI._

FAMILY 53.--GADOPSIDÆ. (1 Genus, 1 Species.)

"Fresh-water fish, with rather elongate body covered with very small

scales, the upper jaw overhanging the lower, forming an obtuse snout."

DISTRIBUTION.--Rivers of Australia and Tasmania.

FAMILY 53_a_.--LYCODIDÆ. (3 Genera, 14 Species.)

"Marine fishes, with elongate bodies, and the dorsal united with the anal

fin."

DISTRIBUTION.--Arctic seas of America and Greenland, and Antarctic seas

about the Falkland Islands and Chiloe Island.

FAMILY 54.--GADIDÆ. (21 Genera, 58 Species.)

"Marine fishes, with more or less elongate bodies covered with small smooth

scales."

DISTRIBUTION.--Cold and temperate regions of both hemispheres; in the North

extending as far south as the Mediterranean, Canary Islands, New York and

Japan (and one species to the Philippines and Bay of Bengal), and in the

South to Chili and New Zealand.

_Gadus_ (Cod), _Merluccius_ (Hake), _Phycis_, _Lota_, _Molva_, _Couchia_,

_Motella_, and _Raniceps_, are British. _Lota_ inhabits fresh waters.

{440}FAMILY 55.--OPHIDIIDÆ. (16 Genera, 43 Species.)

"Marine fishes, with more or less elongate bodies, the dorsal and anal fins

united, and the ventral fins rudimentary or absent."

DISTRIBUTION.--Almost universal; from Greenland to New Zealand, but most

abundant in the Tropics.

_Ophidium_ and _Ammodytes_ occur in British seas; _Lucifuga_ inhabits

subterranean fresh waters in Cuba.

FAMILY 56.--MACROURIDÆ. (3 Genera, 21 Species.)

"Marine fishes, with the body terminating in a long, compressed tapering

tail, and covered with spiny, keeled or striated scales."

DISTRIBUTION.--North Atlantic from Greenland to Madeira and the Canary

Islands, Mediterranean, Japanese and Australian seas.

None of these fishes have occurred in the British seas.

FAMILY 57.--ATELEOPODIDÆ. (1 Genus, 1 Species.)

"Marine fishes, with the naked body terminating in a long compressed,

tapering tail."

DISTRIBUTION.--Japan.

FAMILY 58.--PLEURONECTIDÆ. (34 Genera, 185 Species.)

"Marine carnivorous fishes, with strongly compressed flat bodies, one side

of which is colourless, and eyes unsymmetrically placed, both on the

coloured side. They inhabit the sandy bottoms of shallow seas, and often

ascend rivers."

DISTRIBUTION.--Universal, on Arctic, Temperate, and Tropical coasts.

{441}Seven genera occur in British seas, viz.: _Hippoglossus_,

_Hippoglossoides_, _Rhombus_, _Phrynorhombus_, _Arnoglossus_,

_Pleuronectes_ (Turbot), and _Solea_ (Sole). There are 13 genera in the

Atlantic and 23 in the Pacific, 4 being common to both; and 2 found only in

the Mediterranean. A Pacific genus, _Synaptura_, has one species in the

Mediterranean.

_Order IV.--PHYSOSTOMI._

FAMILY 59.--SILURIDÆ. (114 Genera, 547 Species.)

"Fresh-water or marine, scaleless fishes, often with bony shields, and the

head always furnished with barbels."

DISTRIBUTION.--The fresh waters of all the temperate and tropical regions,

those which enter the salt water keeping near the coast.

This extensive family is divided by Dr. Günther into eight sub-families and

seventeen groups, the distribution of which is as follows:--

Sub-family 1 (SILURIDÆ HOMALOPTERÆ) is confined to the Old World. It

consists of three groups: Clarina (2 genera, _Clarias_ and

_Heterobranchus_) ranges over the whole area of the Ethiopian and Oriental

regions, to which it appears to be strictly confined; Plotosina (3 genera,

_Plotosus_, _Copidoglanis_, and _Cnidoglanis_) ranges from the eastern

coasts of Africa to Japan, Polynesia, and Australia, in seas and rivers;

Chacina (1 genus, _Chaca_) ranges from India to Borneo.

Sub-family 2 (SILURIDÆ HETEROPTERÆ) is also confined to the Old World; it

consists of one group,--Silurina, containing 19 genera,

viz.:--_Saccobranchus_ (4 sp.), India to Cochin China and Ceylon; _Silurus_

(5 sp.), Palæarctic region from Central Europe to Japan, China, and

Afghanistan, and a species in Cochin China; _Silurichthys_ (3 sp.),

Cashmere, Java, and Borneo; _Wallago_ (2 sp.), Hindostan, Sumatra, and

Borneo; _Belodontichthys_ (1 sp.), Sumatra and Borneo; _Eutropiichthys_ (1

sp.), Bengal; _Cryptopterus_ {442}(15 sp.), Java, Sumatra, and Borneo, with

a species in the Ganges, in Siam, and (?) in Amboyna; _Callichrous_ (10

sp.), Afghanistan to Borneo and Java; _Schilbe_ (5 sp.), Tropical Africa;

_Eutropius_ (6 sp.), Tropical Africa and Central India; _Hemisilurus_ (2

sp.), Java and Sumatra; _Siluranodon_ (1 sp.), Nile; _Ailia_ (2 sp.),

Bengal; _Schilbichthys_ (1 sp.), Bengal; _Laïs_ (1 sp.), Java, Sumatra,

Borneo; _Pseudeutropius_ (6 sp.), India and Sumatra; _Pangasius_ (7 sp.),

Ganges, Sumatra, Java, Borneo; _Helicophagus_ (2 sp.), Sumatra; _Silondia_

(1 sp.), Ganges.

Sub-family 3 (SILURIDÆ ANOMALOPTERÆ) is confined to Equatorial America; it

consists of the group Hypopthalmina, containing 2 genera: _Helogenes_ (1

sp.), _Hypopthalmus_ (4 sp.), from the country north of the Amazon,

Surinam, and the Rio Negro.

Sub-family 4 (SILURIDÆ PROTEROPTERÆ) ranges over all the tropical and most

of the temperate parts of the globe, except Europe and Australia. It

consists of four groups: Bagrina (16 genera), ranging over most of the Old

World and North America; Pimelodina (15 genera), confined to Tropical

America, except one genus which is African; Ariina (10 genera), all

Tropical regions; and Bagarina (3 genera), Oriental region. The

distribution of the genera is as follows:--

_Bagrus_ (2 sp.), Nile; _Chrysichthys_ (5 sp.), Tropical Africa; _Clarotes_

(1 sp.), Upper Nile; _Macrones_ (19 sp.), India, Ceylon to Borneo, and one

species in Asia Minor; _Pseudobagrus_ (4 sp.), Japan, China, and Cochin

China; _Liocassis_ (5 sp.), Japan, China, Java, Sumatra, and Borneo;

_Bagroides_ (3 sp.), Sumatra and Borneo; _Bagrichthys_ (1 sp.), Sumatra and

Borneo; _Rita_ (5 sp.), Continental India and Manilla; _Acrochordonichthys_

(6 sp.), Java and Sumatra; _Akysis_ (3 sp.), Java and Sumatra; _Olyra_ (1

sp.), Khasya; _Branchiosteus_ (1 sp.), Khasya; _Amiurus_ (13 sp.), Nearctic

region to Guatemala and China; _Hopladelus_ (1 sp.), North America;

_Noturus_ (4 sp.), North America; _Sorubim_ (1 sp.), Amazon; _Platystoma_

(11 sp.), Tropical South America; _Hemisorubim_ (1 sp.) Rio Negro, Brazil;

_Platistomatichthys_ (1 sp.), Rio Branco, Brazil; _Phractocephalus_ (1

sp.), Amazon; _Piramutana_ (2 sp.), Equatorial America; _Platynematichthys_

{443}(1 sp.), northern and southern tributaries of Amazon; _Piratinga_ (3

sp.), Amazon Valley; _Sciades_ (2 sp.), Amazon; _Pimelodus_ (42 sp.),

Mexico to La Plata, single aberrant species from West Africa, Java and the

Sandwich Islands; _Pirinampus_ (1 sp.), Brazil; _Conorhynchus_ (1 sp.),

Brazil; _Notoglanis_ (1 sp.), Madeira, Amazon Valley; _Callophysus_ (3

sp.), Tropical South America; _Auchenaspis_ (1 sp.), Tropical Africa;

_Arius_ (68 sp.), all Tropical regions; _Galeichthys_ (1 sp.), Cape of Good

Hope; _Genidens_ (1 sp.), Brazil; _Hemipimelodus_ (3 sp.), India, Sumatra,

and Borneo; _Ketingus_ (1 sp.), Sunda Islands; _Ælurichthys_ (4 sp.),

Eastern United States to Guiana; _Paradiplomystax_ (1 sp.), Brazil;

_Diplomystax_ (1 sp.), Chili; _Osteogeniosus_ (3 sp.), India to Java;

_Batrachocephalus_ (1 sp.), Java and Sumatra; _Bagarius_ (1 sp.), India to

Java; _Euclyptosternum_ (1 sp.), India; _Glyptosternum_ (8 sp.), Himalayas,

Central India, Java, and Sumatra; _Hara_ (3 sp.), Continental India;

_Amblyceps_ (3 sp.), Continental India.

Sub-family 5 (SILURIDÆ STENOBRANCHIÆ) is confined to South America and

Africa, with one genus and species in the Ganges. It consists of three

groups: Doradina (12 genera), South America and Africa; Rhinoglanina (3

genera), Central Africa and the Ganges; Malapterurina (1 genus), Tropical

Africa. The distribution of the genera is as follows:--

_Ageniosus_ (4 sp.), Surinam to La Plata; _Tetranematichthys_ (1 sp.),

Central Brazil, Rio Guaporé; _Euanemus_ (1 sp.), Surinam and Brazil;

_Auchenipterus_ (9 sp.), Equatorial America; _Centromochlus_ (2 sp.),

Equatorial America; _Trachelyopterus_ (2 sp.), Equatorial America;

_Cetopsis_ (3 sp.), Brazil; _Asterophysus_ (1 sp.), Rio Negro, North

Brazil; _Doras_ (13 sp.), Tropical South America east of Andes; _Oxydoras_

(7 sp.), Amazon Valley and Guiana; _Rhinodoras_ (3 sp.), Tropical South

America east of Andes; _Synodontis_ (12 sp.), Tropical Africa;

_Rhinoglanis_ (1 sp.), Upper Nile; _Mochocus_ (1 sp.), Nile; _Callomystax_

(1 sp.), Nile; _Malapterurus_ (3 sp.), Tropical Africa.

Sub-family 6 (SILURIDÆ PROTEROPODES) inhabits Tropical America and Northern

India as far as Tenasserim. It consists of two groups: the Hypostomatina

(17 genera), with the same distribution as the sub-family, and the

Aspredinina (3 genera), {444}confined to Equatorial America. The

distribution of the genera is as follows:--

_Arges_ (2 sp.), Andes of Peru and Ecuador; _Stygogenes_ (2 sp.), Andes;

_Brontes_ (1 sp.), Andes; _Astroblepus_ (1 sp.), Popayan; _Callichthys_ (11

sp.), Tropical South America east of Andes, and Trinidad; _Plecostomus_ (15

sp.), Tropical South America east of Andes, and Trinidad; _Liposarcus_ (3

sp.), Surinam and Brazil; _Chætostomus_ (25 sp.), Tropical America,

Trinidad, and Porto Rico; _Pterygoplichthys_ (4 sp.), Brazil; _Rhinelepis_

(1 sp.), Brazil; _Acanthicus_ (2 sp.), Equatorial America; _Loricaria_ (17

sp.), Tropical South America east of Andes; _Acestra_ (4 sp.), Brazil and

Guiana; _Sisor_ (1 sp.), Northern Bengal; _Erethistes_ (1 sp.), Assam;

_Pseudecheneis_ (1 sp.), Khasya Hills; _Exostoma_ (2 sp.), Assam and

Tenasserim; _Bunocephalus_ (2 sp.), Guiana; _Bunocephalichthys_ (1 sp.),

Rio Branco, North Brazil; _Aspredo_ (6 sp.), Guiana.

Sub-family 7 (SILURIDÆ OPISTHOPTERÆ) consists of two groups: Nematogenyina

(2 genera), and Trichomycterina (3 genera), and is confined to South

America. The distribution of the genera is as follows:--

_Heptapterus_ (2 sp.), South America; _Nematogenys_ (1 sp.), Chili;

_Trichomycterus_ (7 sp.), South America to 15,000 feet elevation;

_Eremophilus_ (1 sp.), Andes of Bogota; _Pariodon_ (1 sp.), Amazon.

Sub-family 8 (SILURIDÆ BRANCHICOLÆ) is confined to Tropical South America.

It consists of one group, Stegophilina, and 2 genera: _Stegophilus_ (1

sp.), Brazil; and _Vandellia_ (2 sp.), Amazon Valley.

FAMILY 60. CHARACINIDÆ. (47 Genera, 230 Species.)

"Fresh-water fishes, with scaly bodies and without barbels."

DISTRIBUTION.--The Neotropical and Ethiopian regions.

This extensive family is divided by Dr. Günther into 10 groups, viz.:

Erythrinina (5 genera), South America; Curumatina {445}(6 genera), South

America; Citharinina (1 genus), Tropical Africa; Anostomatina (3 genera),

South America; Tetragonopterina (16 genera), South America and Tropical

Africa; Hydrocyonina (9 genera), Tropical America and Tropical Africa;

Distichodontina (1 genus), Tropical Africa; Icthyborina (1 genus), Africa;

Crenuchina (1 genus), Equatorial America; Serrasalmonina (4 genera), South

America.

The following is the distribution of the genera:--

_Macrodon_ (4 sp.), Tropical America; _Erythrinus_ (5 sp.), Brazil and

Guiana; _Lebiasina_ (1 sp.), West Equatorial America; _Pyrrhulina_ (1 sp.),

Guiana; _Corynopoma_ (4 sp.), Trinidad only; _Curimatus_ (15 sp.), Tropical

South America and Trinidad; _Prochilodus_ (12 sp.), South America to the La

Plata; _Cæntropus_ (2 sp.), East Equatorial America; _Hemiodus_ (8 sp.),

Equatorial America east of Andes; _Saccodon_ (1 sp.), Ecuador; _Parodon_ (1

sp.), Brazil; _Citharinus_ (2 sp.), Tropical Africa; _Anostomus_ (8 sp.),

Tropical America; _Rhytiodus_ (2 sp.), Equatorial America; _Leporinus_ (14

sp.), South America East of Andes; _Piabucina_ (2 sp.), Guiana; _Alestes_

(4 sp.), Tropical Africa; _Brachyalestes_ (5 sp.), Tropical Africa;

_Tetragonopterus_ (32 sp.), Tropical America; _Scissor_ (1 sp.), South

America; _Pseudochalceus_ (1 sp.), West Ecuador; _Chirodon_ (2 sp.), Chili;

_Chalceus_ (1 sp.), Guiana; _Brycon_ (10 sp.), South America east of Andes;

_Chalcinopsis_ (4 sp.), Central America and Ecuador; _Bryconops_ (2 sp.),

Tropical America; _Creagrutus_ (1 sp.), Western Ecuador; _Chalcinus_ (4

sp.), Tropical South America; _Gastropelecus_ (8 sp.), Tropical South

America; _Piabuca_ (2 sp.), Equatorial America; _Agoniates_ (1 sp.),

Guiana; _Anacyrtus_ (7 sp.), Central and South America; _Hystricodon_ (1

sp.), Equatorial America; _Salminus_ (3 sp.), South America; _Hydrocyon_ (3

sp.), Tropical Africa; _Sarcodaces_ (1 sp.), West Africa; _Oligosarcus_ (1

sp.), Brazil; _Xiphoramphus_ (7 sp.), South America east of Andes;

_Xiphostoma_ (5 sp.), Equatorial America east of Andes; _Cynodon_ (3 sp.),

Tropical America East of Andes; _Distichodus_ (7 sp.), Tropical Africa;

_Icthyborus_ (3 sp.), Nile; _Crenuchus_ (1 sp.), Guiana; _Mylesinus_ (1

sp.), Equatorial America; _Serrasalmo_ (13 sp.), Tropical South America

east of Andes; _Myletes_ (18 sp.), {446}Tropical South America east of

Andes; _Catoprion_ (1. sp.), Brazil and Guiana.

FAMILY 61.--HAPLOCHITONIDÆ. (2 Genera, 3 Species.)

"Fresh-water fishes, with naked or scaly bodies and without barbels."

DISTRIBUTION.--Temperate South America and South Australia.

The genera are, _Haplochiton_ (2 sp.), Tierra del Fuego and the Falkland

Islands; _Prototroctes_ (2 sp.), Southern Australia and New Zealand.

FAMILY 62.--STERNOPTYCHIDÆ. (6 Genera, 12 Species.)

"Marine fishes, with very thin deciduous scales or none, and with a row of

phosphorescent spots or organs on the under surface of the body."

DISTRIBUTION.--Mediterranean and Atlantic.

These are deep-sea fishes found in the Mediterranean sea, and in the deep

Atlantic from the coasts of Norway to the Azores and the Tropics.

FAMILY 63.--SCOPELIDÆ. (11 Genera, 47 Species.)

"Marine fishes, somewhat resembling the fresh-water Siluridæ."

DISTRIBUTION.--Almost universal, but most abundant in warm and tropical

seas.

These are deep-sea fishes, abounding in the Mediterranean and the great

oceans, a few extending north to near Greenland and south to Tasmania.

{447}FAMILY 64.--STOMIATIDÆ. (4 Genera, 8 Species.)

"Small marine fishes, naked or with very fine scales."

DISTRIBUTION.--The Mediterranean and Atlantic.

These are deep-sea fishes, ranging from Greenland to beyond the Equator.

FAMILY 65.--SALMONIDÆ (15 Genera, 157 Species.)

"Fresh-water fishes, many species periodically descending to the sea and a

few altogether marine:--Salmon and Trout."

DISTRIBUTION.--The Palæarctic and Nearctic Regions, and one genus and

species in New Zealand. A considerable number of species are confined to

single lakes or rivers, others have a wide distribution.

The genera are distributed as follows:--

_Salmo_ (83 sp.), rivers and lakes of the Palæarctic and Nearctic Regions,

as far south as Algeria, Asia Minor, the Hindoo-Koosh and Kamschatka, and

to about 38° North Latitude in North America, many of the species

migratory; _Onchorhynchus_ (8 sp.), American and Asiatic rivers entering

the Pacific, as far south as San Francisco and the Amur; _Brachymystax_ (1

sp.), Siberian rivers, from Lake Baikal and the Atlai Mountains northwards;

_Luciotrutta_ (2 sp.), Caspian Sea and Volga; _Plecoglossus_ (1 sp.), Japan

and Formosa; _Osmerus_ (3 sp.), rivers of temperate Europe and North

America entering the Atlantic, and one species in California;

_Thaleichthys_ (1 sp.), Columbia River, Vancouver's Island; _Hypomesus_ (1

sp.), coasts of California, Vancouver's Island, and North-eastern Asia;

_Mallotus_ (1 sp.), coasts of Arctic America from Greenland to Kamschatka;

_Retropinna_ (1 sp.), fresh waters of New Zealand; _Coregonus_ (41 sp.),

fresh waters of northern parts of temperate Europe, Asia and North America,

many of the species migratory: _Thymallus_ (6 sp.), fresh waters of

temperate parts of {448}Europe, Asia, and North America; _Argentina_ (4

sp.), Mediterranean and deep seas of Western Europe; _Microstoma_ (2 sp.),

Mediterranean, and seas of Greenland; _Salarix_ (2 sp.), China and Japan,

in seas and rivers. _Salmo_, _Osmerus_, _Coregonus_, and _Thymallus_, are

British genera.

FAMILY 66.--PERCOPSIDÆ. (1 Genus, 1 Species.)

"A fresh-water fish covered with toothed scales."

DISTRIBUTION.--Lake Superior, North America.

FAMILY 67.--GALAXIDÆ. (1 Genus, 12 Species.)

"Fresh-water fishes, with neither scales nor barbels."

DISTRIBUTION.--The temperate zone of the Southern Hemisphere.

The only genus, _Galaxias_, is found in New Zealand, Tasmania, and Tierra

del Fuego, ranging north as far as Queensland and Chili; and one of the

species is absolutely identical in the two regions.

FAMILY 68.--MORMYRIDÆ. (3 Genera, 25 Species.)

"Fresh-water fishes, with scales on the body and tail but not on the head,

and no barbels."

DISTRIBUTION.--The Ethiopian Region.

Most abundant in the Nile, a few from the Gambia, the Congo, and Rovuma.

The genera are:--

_Mormyrus_ (1 sp.), Nile, Gambia, West Africa, Mozambique, Rovuma;

_Hyperopsius_ (2 sp.), Nile and West Africa; _Mormyrops_ (4 sp.), Nile,

West Africa and Mozambique.

{449}FAMILY 69.--GYMNARCHIDÆ. (1 Genus, 1 Species.)

"Fresh-water fishes, resembling the Mormyridæ, but with tapering finless

tail, and neither anal nor ventral fins."

DISTRIBUTION.--Ethiopian region.

The only genus, _Gymnarchus_, inhabits the Nile and the rivers of West

Africa.

FAMILY 70.--ESOCIDÆ. (1 Genus, 7 Species.)

"Fresh-water fishes, with scaly bodies, no barbels, and dorsal fins

situated towards the tail."

DISTRIBUTION.--The Nearctic and Palæarctic regions.

One species, the Pike (_Esox lucius_) ranges from Lapland to Turkey, and in

America from the Arctic regions to the Albany river; the remainder are

American species extending South as far as New Orleans.

FAMILY 71.--UMBRIDÆ. (1 Genus, 2 Species.)

"Small fresh-water scaly fishes, without barbels or adipose fin."

DISTRIBUTION.--Central Europe and Temperate North America.

FAMILY 72.--SCOMBRESOCIDÆ. (5 Genera, 136 Species.)

"Marine or fresh-water fishes, with scaly bodies and a series of keeled

scales along each side of the belly."

DISTRIBUTION.--Temperate and tropical regions.

All the genera have a wide distribution. A species of _Belone_ and one of

_Scombresox_ are found on the British coast. The Flying-fishes (_Exocetus_,

44 sp.), belong to this family. They abound in all tropical seas and extend

as far as the Mediterranean and Australia. None of the genera are

exclusively fresh-water, {450}but a few species of _Belone_, and

_Hemiramphus_ are found in rivers in various parts of the world.

FAMILY 73.--CYPRINODONTIDÆ. (20 Genera, 106 Species.)

"Fresh-water fishes, covered with scales, the sexes frequently differing,

mostly viviparous."

DISTRIBUTION.--Southern Europe, Asia, Africa and North America, but most

abundant in Tropical America.

The distribution of the genera is as follows:--

_Cyprinodon_ (11 sp.), Italy, North Africa and Western Asia to Persia, also

North America from Texas to New York; _Fitzroya_ (1 sp.), Montevideo;

_Characodon_ (1 sp.), Central America; _Tellia_ (1 sp.), Alpine pools of

the Atlas: _Limnurgus_ (1 sp.), Mexican plateau; _Lucania_ (1 sp.), Texas;

_Haplochilus_ (18 sp.), India, Java, Japan, Tropical Africa, Madagascar,

and the Seychelle Islands, Carolina to Brazil, Jamaica; _Fundulus_ (17

sp.), North and Central America and Ecuador, Spain and East Africa;

_Rivulus_ (3 sp.), Tropical America, Cuba and Trinidad; _Orestias_ (6 sp.),

Lake Titacaca, Andes; _Jenynsia_ (1 sp.), Rio Plata; _Pseudoxiphophorus_ (2

sp.), Central America; _Belonesox_ (1 sp.), Central America; _Gambusia_ (8

sp.), Antilles, Central America and Texas; _Anableps_ (3 sp.), Central and

Equatorial America; _Poecilia_ (16 sp.), Antilles, Central and South

America; _Mollienesia_ (4 sp.), Louisiana to Mexico; _Platypoecilus_ (1

sp.), Mexico; _Girardinus_ (10 sp.), Antilles and South Carolina to

Uruguay; _Lepistes_ (1 sp.), Barbadoes.

FAMILY 74.--HETEROPYGII. (2 Genera, 2 Species.)

"Fresh-water fishes, with posterior dorsal fin, and very small scales."

DISTRIBUTION.--Fresh waters of the United States.

_Amblyopsis_ (1 sp.) is a blind fish found in the caverns of Kentucky;

while _Chologastes_ (1 sp.), which only differs from it in having perfect

eyes, is found in ditches in South Carolina.

{451}FAMILY 75.--CYPRINIDÆ. (109 Genera, 790 Species.)

"Fresh-water fishes, generally scaly, with no adipose fin, and pharyngeal

teeth only, the mouth being toothless."

DISTRIBUTION.--Fresh waters of the Old World and North America, but absent

from Australia and South America.

This enormous family is divided by Dr. Günther into fourteen groups, the

distribution of which is as follows:--

Catostomina (4 genera), North America and North-east Asia; Cyprinina (39

genera), same range as the family; Rohteichthyina (1 genus), Malay

Archipelago; Leptobarbina (1 genus), Malay Archipelago; Rasborina (5

genera), East Africa to China and Borneo; Semiplotina (2 genera), Western

Asia; Xenocypridina (3 genera), Eastern Asia; Leuciscina (10 genera),

Palæarctic and Nearctic regions; Rhodeina (3 genera), Palæarctic region;

Danionina (9 genera), India to China and Japan; Hypophthalmichthyina (1

genus), China; Abramidina (16 genera), same range as the family;

Homalopterina (2 genera), India to Java; Cobitidina (10 genera), Palæarctic

and Oriental regions.

The following is the distribution of the genera:--

_Catostomus_ (16 sp.), Nearctic region and Eastern Siberia; _Moxostoma_ (2

sp.), Eastern United States; _Sclerognathus_ (5 sp.), Temperate North

America to Guatemala, also Northern China; _Carpiodes_ (1 sp.), United

States; _Cyprinus_ (2 sp.), Temperate parts of Palæarctic region (1 sp.

British); _Carassius_ (3 sp.), Temperate Palæarctic region (1 sp. British);

_Catla_ (1 sp.), Continental India; _Cirrhina_ (5 sp.), Continental India

to China; _Dangila_ (6 sp.), Java, Sumatra, Borneo; _Osteochilus_ (14 sp.),

Siam to Java and Sumatra; _Labeo_ (27 sp.), Tropical Africa and Oriental

region; _Tylognathus_ (10 sp.), Syria, India to Java; _Abrostomus_ (2 sp.),

South Africa; _Discognathus_ (4 sp.), Syria to India and Java, mostly in

mountain streams; _Crossochilus_ (9 sp.), India to Sumatra and Java;

_Gymnostomus_ (7 sp.), Continental India; _Epalzeorhynchus_ (1 sp.),

Sumatra and Borneo; _Capoeta_ (13 sp.), Western Asia; _Barbus_ (163 sp.),

Temperate or Tropical {452}parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa (1 sp.

British); _Thynnichthys_ (2 sp.), Pegu, Borneo, and Sumatra; _Barbichthys_

(1 sp.), Java, Sumatra, and Borneo; _Amblyrhynchichthys_ (1 sp.), Sumatra

and Borneo; _Albulichthys_ (1 sp.), Sumatra and Borneo; _Oreinus_ (3 sp.),

Himalayan region; _Schizothorax_ (13 sp.), Himalayan region and west to

Afghanistan and Persia; _Ptychobarbus_ (1 sp.), Thibet; _Gymnocypris_ (1

sp.), loc. unknown; _Schizopygopsis_ (1 sp.), Thibet; _Diptychus_ (1 sp.),

Himalayas and Thibet; _Aulopyge_ (1 sp.), Western Asia; _Gobio_ (2 sp.),

Temperate Europe (1 sp. British); _Pseudogobio_ (4 sp.), China, Japan, and

Formosa; _Ceratichthys_ (9 sp.), Temperate North America; _Bungia_ (1 sp.),

Western Asia, Herat; _Pimephales_ (2 sp.), Eastern United States;

_Hyborhynchus_ (3 sp.), Eastern United States; _Ericymba_ (1 sp.), United

States; _Pseudorasbora_ (1 sp.), Japan, China; _Cochlognathus_ (1 sp.),

Texas; _Exoglossum_ (2 sp.), United States; _Rhinichthys_ (6 sp.), Eastern

United States; _Rohteichthys_ (1 sp.), Borneo and Sumatra; _Leptobarbina_

(1 sp.), Sumatra and Borneo; _Rasbora_ (12 sp.), East Coast of Africa,

India, to Java and Borneo; _Luciosma_ (3 sp.), Java, Sumatra, and Borneo;

_Nuria_ (2 sp.), India, Tenasserim, and Ceylon; _Aphyocypris_ (1 sp.),

North China; _Amblypharyngodon_ (3 sp.), India to Tenasserim; _Cyprinion_

(3 sp.), Syria and Persia; _Semiplotus_ (1 sp.), Assam; _Xenocypris_ (1

sp.), China; _Paracanthobrama_ (1 sp.), China; _Mystacoleucus_ (1 sp.),

Sumatra; _Leuciscus_ (84 sp.), Nearctic and Palæarctic regions (5 sp. are

British); _Ctenopharyngodon_ (1 sp.), China; _Mylopharodon_ (1 sp.),

California; _Paraphoxinus_ (2 sp.), South-eastern Europe; _Meda_ (1 sp.),

River Gila; _Tinca_ (1 sp.), Europe (Britain to Constantinople);

_Leucosomus_ (8 sp.), Nearctic region; _Chondrostoma_ (7 sp.), Europe and

Western Asia; _Orthodon_ (1 sp.), California; _Acrochilus_ (1 sp.),

Columbia River; _Achilognathus_ (6 sp.), China, Japan, and Formosa;

_Rhodeus_ (3 sp.), Central Europe and China; _Pseudoperilampus_ (1 sp.),

Japan; _Danio_ (8 sp.), India and Ceylon; _Pterosarion_ (2 sp.), Central

India and Assam; _Aspidoparia_ (3 sp.), Continental India; _Barilius_ (15

sp.), East Africa and Continental India; _Bola_ (1 sp.), Ganges to

Bramahputra; _Schacra_ (1 sp.), Bengal; _Opsariichthys_ (5 sp.), Japan and

Formosa; _Squaliobarbus_ (1 sp.), China; _Ochetobius_ (1 sp.), North China;

{453}_Hypophthalmichthys_ (2 sp.), China; _Abramis_ (16 sp.), North

America, Central Europe, and Western Asia (1 sp. is British); _Aspius_ (3

sp.), East Europe, Western Asia, China; _Alburnus_ (15 sp.), Europe and

Western Asia (1 British sp.); _Rasborichthys_ (1 sp.), Borneo;

_Elopichthys_ (1 sp.), China; _Pelotrophus_ (2 sp.), East Africa;

_Acanthobrama_ (3 sp.), Western Asia; _Osteobrama_ (5 sp.), Continental

India; _Chanodichthys_ (6 sp.), China and Formosa; _Smiliogaster_ (1 sp.),

Bengal; _Culter_ (2 sp.), China; _Pelecus_ (1 sp.), Eastern Europe;

_Eustira_ (1 sp.), Ceylon; _Chela_ (16 sp.), India to Siam, Java and

Borneo; _Pseudolabuca_ (1 sp.), China; _Cachius_ (1 sp.), Continental

India; _Homaloptera_ (8 sp.), India to Cochin China, Java, and Sumatra;

_Psilorhynchus_ (2 sp.), North-eastern India; _Misgurnus_ (5 sp.), Europe

to India, China, and Japan; _Nemachilus_ (37 sp.), Europe and Asia;

_Cobitis_ (3 sp.), Europe, India, Japan; _Lepidocepalichthys_ (3 sp.),

India, Ceylon, and Java; _Acanthopsis_ (2 sp.), Tenasserim, Sumatra, Java,

and Borneo; _Botia_ (7 sp.), India to Japan and Sunda Isles; _Oreonectes_

(1 sp.), China; _Lepidocephalus_ (1 sp.), Java and Sumatra;

_Acanthopthalmus_ (2 sp.), Java and Sumatra; _Apua_ (1 sp.), Tenasserim;

_Kneria_ (2 sp.), Tropical Africa.

FAMILY 76.--GONORHYNCHIDÆ. (1 Genus, 1 Species.)

"A marine fish with spiny scales, mouth with barbels, and with short dorsal

fin opposite the ventrals."

DISTRIBUTION.--Temperate parts of Southern Oceans, and Japan.

FAMILY 77.--HYODONTIDÆ. (1 Genus, 1 Species.)

"A fresh-water fish with cycloid scales and posterior dorsal fin."

DISTRIBUTION.--Fresh waters of North America.

{454}FAMILY 78.--OSTEOGLOSSIDÆ. (3 Genera, 5 Species.)

"Fresh-water fishes, with large hard scales, and dorsal fin opposite and

equal to the anal fin."

DISTRIBUTION.--Tropical rivers.

The genera are:--_Osteoglossum_ (3 sp.), Eastern South America, Sunda

Islands, and Queensland; _Arapaima_ (1 sp.), Eastern South America--the

"Pirarucú" of the Amazon; _Heterotis_ (1 sp.), Tropical Africa.

FAMILY 79.--CLUPEIDÆ. (18 Genera, 161 Species.)

"Marine scaly fishes, without barbels, and with the abdomen often

compressed and serrated."

DISTRIBUTION.--Seas of the whole globe, many species entering rivers. They

are most abundant in the Indian seas, less so in America, scarce in Africa,

while they are almost absent from Australia. The Herring, Sprat, Shad, and

Pilchard, are British species of _Clupea_, a genus which contains 61

species and ranges all over the world.

FAMILY 80.--CHIROCENTRIDÆ. (1 Genus, 1 Species.)

"A marine fish, with thin deciduous scales, no barbels, and posterior

dorsal fin."

DISTRIBUTION.--The Eastern seas from Africa to China.

FAMILY 81.--ALEPOCEPHALIDÆ. (1 Genus, 1 Species.)

"A marine fish, covered with thin cycloid scales, no barbels, and posterior

dorsal fin."

DISTRIBUTION.--Deep waters of the Mediterranean.

{455}FAMILY 82.--NOTOPTERIDÆ. (1 Genus, 5 Species.)

"Fresh-water fishes, without barbels, head and body scaly, long tapering

tail, and short posterior dorsal fin."

DISTRIBUTION.--Rivers of India, Siam, the Sunda Islands, and West Africa.

FAMILY 83.--HALOSAURIDÆ. (1 Genus, 1 Species.)

"Marine fishes, with cycloid scales, a short median dorsal fin, and no

barbels."

DISTRIBUTION.--Deep waters of the Atlantic, Madeira.

FAMILY 84.--GYMNOTIDÆ. (5 Genera, 20 Species.)

"Fresh-water fishes, with elongate bodies, pointed tail, and no dorsal

fin."

DISTRIBUTION.--Tropical America from Trinidad to the River Parana.

The genera are distributed as follows:--

_Sternarchus_ (8 sp.), Guiana and Brazil; _Rhamphichthys_ (6 sp.), Guiana

and Brazil; _Sternophygus_ (4 sp.), Tropical America; _Carapus_ (1 sp.),

Trinidad to Brazil; _Gymnotus_, (1 sp.--the Electric eel), Tropical South

America.

FAMILY 85.--SYMBRANCHIDÆ. (4 Genera, 6 Species.)

"Marine and fresh-water fishes, having elongate bodies without fins, and

very minute scales or none."

DISTRIBUTION.--Fresh waters and coasts of Western Australia and Tasmania.

The genera are:--

_Amphipnous_ (1 sp.), Bengal; _Monopterus_ (1 sp.), Siam to Northern China

and Sunda Islands; _Symbranchus_ (3 sp.), Tropical {456}America, and India

to Australia; _Chilobranchus_ (1 sp.), Australia and Tasmania.

FAMILY 86.--MURÆNIDÆ. (26 Genera, 230 Species.)

"Marine or fresh-water fishes, with cylindrical or band-like bodies and no

ventral fins."

DISTRIBUTION.--The seas and fresh waters of temperate and tropical regions.

This family is divided by Dr. Günther into two sub-families and nine

sections. The genus _Anguilla_, comprising our common Eel and a number of

species from all parts of the world, is the only one which is found in

fresh water, though even here most of the species are marine. _Anguilla_

and _Conger_ are the only British genera.

FAMILY 87.--PEGASIDÆ. (1 Genus, 4 Species.)

"Small marine fishes, covered with bony plates, and short opposite dorsal

and anal fins."

DISTRIBUTION.--Indian Ocean and seas of China and Australia.

_Order V.--LOPHOBRANCHII._

"Fish with a segmented bony covering, long snout, and small toothless

mouth."

FAMILY 88.--SOLENOSTOMIDÆ. (1 Genus, 3 Species.)

"Marine Lophobranchii, with wide gill openings and two dorsal fins."

DISTRIBUTION.--Indian Ocean, from Zanzibar to China and the Moluccas.

{457}FAMILY 89.--SYNGNATHIDÆ. (15 Genera, 112 Species.)

"Marine Lophobranchii, with very small gill opening and one soft dorsal

fin."

DISTRIBUTION.--All the tropical and temperate seas. Some species of

_Syngnathus_, _Doryichthys_, and _Coelonotus_ enter fresh water, and a few

live in it exclusively. _Siphonostoma_, _Syngnathus_, _Nerophis_, and

_Hippocampus_ are British genera. The _Hippocampina_ (5 genera, 25 sp.), or

Sea-horses, are peculiar to the Indian and Pacific Oceans, except three or

four species of _Hippocampus_ in the Atlantic and Mediterranean.

_Order VI.--PLECTOGNATHI._

"Fishes covered with rough scales or shields, having a narrow mouth, and

soft posterior dorsal fin."

FAMILY 90.--SCLERODERMI. (7 Genera, 95 Species.)

"Marine Plectognathi, with toothed jaws."

DISTRIBUTION.--Temperate and Tropical seas, but much more abundant in the

Tropics.

FAMILY 91.--GYMNODONTES. (10 Genera, 82 Species.)

"Marine or fresh-water Plectognathi, with jaws modified into a beak."

DISTRIBUTION.--Temperate and tropical regions.

Some species of _Tetrodon_ are found in the rivers of Tropical America,

Africa, and Asia. Species of _Tetrodon_ and _Orthagoriscus_ have been found

on the British coasts.

{458}SUB-CLASS II.--DIPNOI.

FAMILY 92.--SIRENOIDEI. (3 Genera, 3 Species.)

"Eel-shaped fresh-water fishes, covered with cycloid scales; the vertical

fins forming a continuous border to the compressed tapering tail."

DISTRIBUTION.--Rivers of Tropical Africa, South America, and Australia.

The genera are:--_Protopterus_ (1 sp.), Tropical Africa; _Lepidosiren_ (1

sp.), Amazon Valley; _Ceratodus_ (1 sp.), Queensland.

SUB-CLASS III.--GANOIDEI.

_Order I.--HOLOSTEI._

"Body covered with scales."

FAMILY 93.--AMIIDÆ. (1 Genus, 1 Species.)

"A fresh-water fish, with cycloid scales and a long soft dorsal fin."

DISTRIBUTION.--United States.

FAMILY 94.--POLYPTERIDÆ. (2 Genera, 2 Species.)

"Fresh-water fishes, with ganoid scales and dorsal spines."

DISTRIBUTION.--Central and Western Africa.

The genera are:--

_Polypterus_ (1 sp.), the Nile and rivers of West Africa; _Calamoichthys_

(1 sp.), Old Calabar.

{459}FAMILY 95.--LEPIDOSTEIDÆ. (1 Genus, 3 Species.)

"Fresh-water fishes, with ganoid scales, and dorsal and anal fins composed

of articulated rays."

DISTRIBUTION.--The genus Lepidosteus, the Garfishes or Bony Pikes, inhabits

North America to Mexico and Cuba.

_Order II.--CHONDROSTEI._

"Sub-cartilaginous scaleless fishes with heterocercal tail, the skin with

osseous bucklers or naked."

FAMILY 96.--ACCIPENSERIDÆ. (2 Genera, 20 Species.)

"Marine or fresh-water fishes with osseous bucklers and inferior mouth."

DISTRIBUTION.--Temperate and Arctic regions of the northern hemisphere.

ACCIPENSER (19 sp.), comprising the Sturgeons, has the distribution of the

family; most of the species are marine, but some are confined to the

Caspian and Black Seas and the great American lakes with the rivers flowing

into them, while the Danube, Mississippi, and Columbia River have peculiar

species. The other genus, SCAPHIRHYNCHUS (1 sp.), is confined to the

Mississippi and its tributaries.

FAMILY 97.--POLYDONTIDÆ. (1 Genus, 2 Species.)

"Fresh-water fishes, with wide lateral mouth and naked skin."

DISTRIBUTION.--The Mississippi and Yang-tse-kiang rivers.

{460}SUB CLASS IV.--CHONDROPTERYGII. (SHARKS AND RAYS.)

_Order I.--HOLOCEPHALA. (Chimæras.)_

FAMILY 98.--CHIMÆRIDÆ. (2 Genera, 4 Species.)

"Shark-like marine fishes, snout of the male with a prehensile organ."

DISTRIBUTION.--Northern and Southern temperate seas. _Chimæra_ is British.

_Order II.--PLAGIOSTOMATA._

Sub-order.--SELACHOIDEA. (Sharks.)

FAMILY 99.--CARCHARIIDÆ. (11 Genera, 59 Species.)

"Sharks with two dorsals and a nictitating membrane."

DISTRIBUTION.--Seas of the Arctic, temperate, and tropical regions. Species

of _Galeus_ and _Mustelus_ have occurred on our coasts.

FAMILY 100.--LAMNIDÆ. (5 Genera, 7 Species.)

"Sharks with two dorsals and no nictitating membrane."

DISTRIBUTION.--Temperate and tropical seas. Species of _Lamna_,

_Alopecias_, and _Selache_ have occurred in British seas.

{461}FAMILY 101.--RHINODONTIDÆ. (1 Genus, 1 Species.)

"Sharks with two dorsal fins, the second small, and no nictitating

membrane."

DISTRIBUTION.--South and East Africa.

FAMILY 102.--NOTIDANIDÆ. (1 Genus, 4 Species.)

"Sharks with one dorsal fin and no nictitating membrane."

DISTRIBUTION.--Temperate and tropical seas, from the North Atlantic to the

Cape of Good Hope and California. One species has occurred on our southern

coasts.

FAMILY 103.--SCYLLIIDÆ. (7 Genera, 25 Species.)

"Sharks with one dorsal fin and no nictitating membrane."

DISTRIBUTION.--All temperate and tropical seas. Species of _Scyllium_ and

_Pristiurus_ are British.

FAMILY 104.--CESTRACIONTIDÆ. (1 Genus, 4 Species.)

"Sharks with two dorsal fins and no nictitating membrane."

DISTRIBUTION.--Pacific Ocean from Japan to New Zealand, Moluccan Sea.

FAMILY 105.--SPINACIDÆ. (10 Genera, 21 Species.)

"Sharks with two dorsal fins and no nictitating membrane, no anal fin."

DISTRIBUTION.--Arctic, temperate, and tropical seas. Species of

_Acanthias_, _Læmargus_, and _Echinorhinus_ have occurred on our coasts.

{462}FAMILY 106.--RHINIDÆ (1 Genus, 1 Species.)

"Sharks with depressed flat body and large expanded pectoral fins."

DISTRIBUTION.--Temperate and tropical seas, from Britain to California and

Australia.

FAMILY 107.--PRISTIOPHORIDÆ. (1 Genus, 4 Species.)

"Sharks with produced flat snout, armed with teeth on each edge."

DISTRIBUTION.--Seas of Japan and Australia.

Sub-order BATOIDEI. (Rays.)

FAMILY 108.--PRISTIDÆ. (1 Genus, 5 Species.)

"Rays with produced snout and lateral saw-like teeth."

DISTRIBUTION.--Seas of tropical and sub-tropical regions.

FAMILY 109.--RHINOBATIDÆ. (3 Genera, 15 Species.)

"Rays with long and strong tail, having a caudal and two dorsal fins."

DISTRIBUTION.--Tropical and sub-tropical seas.

FAMILY 110.--TORPEDINIDÆ. (6 Genera, 15 Species.)

"Rays with broad smooth disc, and an electric organ."

DISTRIBUTION.--Tropical and temperate seas, from Britain to Tasmania.

FAMILY 111.--RAIIDÆ. (4 Genera, 29 Species.)

"Rays with broad rhombic disc and no serrated caudal spine."

DISTRIBUTION.--All temperate and tropical seas. Several species of _Raia_

are found on our coasts.

{463}FAMILY 112.--TRYGONIDÆ (6 Genera, 43 Species.)

"Rays with the pectoral fins extending to end of snout."

DISTRIBUTION.--Seas of all temperate and tropical regions, and rivers of

Tropical America. A species of _Trygon_ has occurred on our Southern coast.

_Ellipesurus_ and _Tæniura_ are found in the fresh waters of the interior

of South America, while the latter genus occurs also in the Indian seas,

but not in the Atlantic.

FAMILY 113.--MYLOBATIDÆ. (5 Genera, 22 Species.)

"Rays with very broad pectoral fins not extending to end of snout."

DISTRIBUTION.--Temperate and tropical seas. A species of MYLIOBATIS is

British, but most of the species and genera are confined to tropical seas.

_Dicerobatis_ and _Ceratoptera_ are very large Rays, commonly called

Sea-devils.

SUB-CLASS V.--CYCLOSTOMATA.

"Cartilaginous fishes, with suctorial mouths and without lateral fins."

FAMILY 114.--PETROMYZONTIDÆ. (4 Genera, 12 Species.)

"Marine or fresh-water eel-like fishes, with suctorial mouths and without

barbels."

DISTRIBUTION.--Coasts and fresh waters of temperate regions of both

hemispheres. Three species of _Petromyzon_ (Lampreys), are British.

{464}FAMILY 115.--MYXINIDÆ. (2 Genera, 5 Species.)

"Marine eel-like fishes, with four pairs of barbels."

DISTRIBUTION.--Seas of the temperate regions of both hemispheres.

SUB-CLASS VI.--LEPTOCARDII.

FAMILY 116.--CIRRHOSTOMI. (1 Genus, 1 Species.)

"A small marine fish with no jaws or fins, and with rudimentary eyes."

DISTRIBUTION.--The only species, the Lancelet (_Amphioxus_), is the lowest

form of living vertebrate. It is found in the temperate regions of both

hemispheres, and has occurred on our southern coast.

_Remarks on the Distribution of Fishes._

_Marine Fish._--There are about 80 families of marine fishes, and of these

no less than 50 are universally, or almost universally, distributed over

the seas and oceans of the globe. Of the remainder many are widely

distributed, some species even ranging from the North Atlantic to

Australia. Six families are confined to the Northern Seas, but four of

these consist of single species only, the other two being the Discoboli (2

genera, 11 sp.), and the Accipenseridæ (2 genera and 20 sp.). Only one

family (Acanthoclinidæ) is confined to the Southern oceans, and that

consists of but a single species. Four families (Sternoptychidæ,

Stomiatidæ, Alepocephalidæ and Halosauridæ) are confined to the Atlantic

Ocean, while 13 are found only in the Pacific; and of the remainder several

are more abundant in the Pacific than the Atlantic. Two families (Lycodidæ

and Gadidæ) are found in the Arctic and Antarctic seas only, though the

{465}latter family has a single species in the Indian seas. Among the

curiosities of distribution are,--the extensive genus _Diagramma_, confined

to the Pacific with the exception of one species in the Mediterranean; the

single species constituting the family Lophotidæ, found only in the

Mediterranean and Japan; the small family of Notacanthi, confined to

Greenland, the Mediterranean, and West Australia; and the four families,

Sternoptychidæ, Stomiatidæ, Alepocephalidæ, and Halosauridæ, which are

believed to inhabit exclusively the depths of the ocean, and are therefore

very rarely obtained.

_Fresh-water Fish._--There are 36 families of fishes which inhabit fresh

water exclusively, and 5 others, which are both marine and fresh-water.

These present many interesting peculiarities of distribution. The

Neotropical region is the richest in families, and probably also in genera

and species. No less than 22 families inhabit it, and of these 6 are

altogether peculiar. The Ethiopian and Nearctic regions each have 18

families, the former with 3, and the latter with 5 peculiar. Several

isolated forms, requiring to be placed in distinct families, inhabit the

great American lakes; and, no doubt, when the African lakes are equally

well known, they will be found also to possess many peculiar forms. The

Oriental region comes next, with 17 families, of which 3 are peculiar. The

Palæarctic has 12, and the Australian 11 families, each with only 1

altogether peculiar to it.

If we take those regions which are sometimes supposed to be so nearly

related that they should be combined, we shall find the fresh-water fishes

in most cases markedly distinct. The Nearctic and Palæarctic regions, for

example, together contain 20 families, but only 11 of these occur in both,

and only 5 are exclusive inhabitants of these two regions. This shows an

amount of diversity that would not, perhaps, be exhibited by any other

class of animals. The Ethiopian and Oriental regions together possess 24

families, only 11 of which are found in both, and only 1 exclusively

characteristic of the two. The Australian and Neotropical regions possess

together 27 families, of which 7 are found in both, and 3 are exclusively

characteristic of the two. This last fact is very interesting: the marine

family of {466}Trachinidæ possesses a fresh-water genus, _Aphritis_, one

species of which inhabits Tasmania, and two others Patagonia; the

Haplochitonidæ (2 genera, 3 sp.) are found only in Tierra del Fuego, the

Falkland Islands, and South Australia; and the Galaxidæ (1 genus, 12 sp.)

inhabit the same regions, but extend to Chili, to New Zealand and to

Queensland. We have here an illustration of that connection between South

America and Australia which is so strongly manifested in plants, but of

which there are only scattered indications in most classes of animals. The

dividing line across the Malay Archipelago, separating the Oriental from

the Australian regions, and which is so strikingly marked in mammalia and

birds, is equally so in fresh-water fishes. No less than six families have

their eastern limits in Java and Borneo; while the extensive family of

Cyprinidæ has no less than 23 genera in Java and Borneo, but not a single

species has been found in Celebes or the Moluccas.

The distribution of fresh-water fishes lends no support to the view that

the peninsula of India belongs to the Ethiopian region. A large proportion

of the Oriental families are common to the whole region; while there is

hardly a single example, of a characteristic Ethiopian family or genus

extending into the peninsula of India and no further.

Among the special peculiarities of distribution, is the curious fish,

forming the family Comephoridæ, which is confined to Lake Baikal, among the

mountains of Central Asia, 2,000 feet above the sea, and a thousand miles

distant from the ocean; yet having its nearest allies in the exclusively

oceanic family of the mackerels (Scomberidæ). The Characinidæ are confined

to Africa and South America, distinct genera inhabiting each region. The

Salmonidæ are confined to the two northern regions, except a single species

of a peculiar genus in New Zealand. The genus _Osteoglossum_ has a species

in South America, another in the Sunda Islands, and a third in Queensland;

while the curious Sirenoidei are represented by single species of peculiar

genera in Tropical America, Tropical Africa, and Tropical Australia.

The Geographical Distribution of Animals, Volume 2 With a study of the relations of living and extinct faunas as elucidating the past changes of the Earth's surface · 第 13 / 18 章

We find then, that in the Ophidia, the regions adopted in this work are