. The Cambridge natural history. Zoology. 684 TELEOSTEI CHAP. Fam. 2. Amphistiidae.—The only known representative of this family, the Upper Eocene Anij^histium paradoxum, originally described as a Pleuronectes, has much in common with the Zeidae, from which it differs in the smaller number of vertebrae (10 + 14), and in the dorsal and anal spines being more reduced, adnate and continuous with the series of soft rays; the scales are more normal and imbricate; ventral fins with 1 spine and 8 soft rays. This fish appears to realise in every respect the prototype of the Pleuronectidae before they
. The Cambridge natural history. Zoology. 684 TELEOSTEI CHAP. Fam. 2. Amphistiidae.—The only known representative of this family, the Upper Eocene Anij^histium paradoxum, originally described as a Pleuronectes, has much in common with the Zeidae, from which it differs in the smaller number of vertebrae (10 + 14), and in the dorsal and anal spines being more reduced, adnate and continuous with the series of soft rays; the scales are more normal and imbricate; ventral fins with 1 spine and 8 soft rays. This fish appears to realise in every respect the prototype of the Pleuronectidae before they had assumed the asymmetry which characterises them as a Fig. 417.—'Ri& ot Amphistium 2Mradoxum. x\. Fam. 3. Pleuronectidae. — Head asymmetrical, the skull twisted in front, with the two orbits on one side in the adult; the side of the body bearing the eyes and turned upwards in life being coloured, the other side colourless and blind. Mouth more or less protractile. Gills 4, a slit behind the fourth; pseudo- branchiae present. Lower pharyngeal bones usually separated, rarely imperfectly united. Vertebrae 24 in the most generalised form {Psettodes), varying from 28 to 65 in others, the praecaudals mostly with more or less developed transverse processes, which may be directed downwards and become converted into haemal arches; ribs and epipleurals present. Caudal fin, if well developed, supported by a large hypural usually without basal spine or knob. Dorsal and anal fins much elongate, without spines, the former often extending on the head. Paired fins often Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original Harmer, S. F. (Sidney Frederic), Sir, 1862- ed; Shipley, A. E. (Arthur Everett), Sir, 1861-1927. ed. [London, Macmillan and Co. , Limited; New York, The Macmillan Compan
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