PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 221 to tbat between the posterior ones, and the frontal cavity much broader than high. Until lately, known from a single specimen obtained in Labrador by Audubon, the ornithologist, and now preserved in the British Museum. There is, however, a specimen in the collection of the Smithsonian In-stitution from St. Augustine, Florida, whence it was sent by Dr. J. M. Lainff, TJ. S. A. The relations of the North American genera to the other members of the families in question will be exhibited in the subsequent notes. NOTE ON THE ANTENIVAKailJiE. By THEODOfSE GILL. The relations of the only known North American representative of the family of Antenuariids to the other members of the family is exhib-ited in the following analytical synopsis, which is essentially the same as that published by the author in 1863. In the present synopsis, how-ever, the most generalized forms (or those supposed to be such) are placed first and followed by those successively more aberrant or spe-cialized. The two species hitherto retained under the generic designa-tion BrachionichtJiys are also differentiated as distinct generic types. Dr. Liitkeu has recently expressed the opinion that Pterophryne and Histiophryne appear to be congeneric, but they really seem to be not even closely related. la. Head compressed ; the rostral spine or tentacle as well as two other robust spines developed ; soft dorsal well developed. 2a. Body oblong claviform ; mouth comparatively small ; palate unarmed ; second and third spines approximated and well connected by membrane and forming a fin; pelvic bones short Brachionichthyin^. 3a. First dorsal spine connected with second, and third with soft dorsal fin by an incised membrane Sympterichthys. 3&. First dorsal spine free from second, and third from soft dorsal fin. Brachionichthys. 2b. Body oval, with tumid abdomen ; mouth quite large ; palate armed with teeth ; second and third spines distant and not at all or scarcely con-nected; pelvic bones elongated .• Antennariin^. 3a. First and second dorsal spines disconnected; the first filamentous, with tentacle at end. 4a. D. 12, A. 7. Caudal peduncle free; skin smooth or scarcely granular; mouth oblique ; wrists and pectorals slender ; ventrals elongated ; dorsal spines free from membrane ; dorsal fin more than half as long as body ; anal extended downward Pieropliryne. Ah. D. 12, A. 7 — 8. Caudal peduncle free ; skin rough with spines ; mouth vertical; wrists and x)ectorals widened; ventrals short; 3d dorsal spine partly immersed in skin ; dorsal fin less than half as long as body ; anal oblong : Antennarius.
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