The Geographical Distribution of Animals, Volume 2

Chapter XXVII: Part IV: Geographical Zoology (9)

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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.)

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.)

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.)

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.)

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.)

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.)

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.)

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.)

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.)

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.)

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.)

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.)

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.)

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.)

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.)

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.)

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.)

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.)

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.)

{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.)

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.)

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.)

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.)

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.)

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.)

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.)

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.)

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.)

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.)

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.)

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.)

{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.)

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.)

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The Geographical Distribution of Animals, Volume 2Chapter XXVII: Part IV: Geographical Zoology (9)

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