Physostegia (fisoste jia)

[NL. (Bentham, 1829), so called with reference to the enlarged and somewhat inflated fruiting calyx; Physostigma (fi-so-stig'ma), n. [NL. (Balfour, 1861), so called with reference to the bladderlike apex of the style; physostigmine (fi-so-stig'min), n. [ physostome (fi'sō-stōm), a. andn. I. a. Same as physostomous. II. n. A physostomous fish. Physostomi (fi-sos'tō-mi), n. pl . [NL., pl. of physostomus : see physostomous .] An order of teleost fishes established by J. Müller in 1845, containing those whose air-bladder, when present, is connected with the alimentary canal by an air-duct, the bladder thus having an outlet or mouth: contrasted with Physoclisti . The order was divided by Müller into 2 suborders and 14 families. It includes most of the abdominal malacop. terygian fishes of the older authors. In Cope's system of cla ification it is ranked as a primary group of actinop terous fishes, with the basilar segments of the ventral fin rudimental and abdominal, the parietal bones usually united, branchiostegal rays developed, and the pneumatic duct open. It includes, in addition to the forms recognized by Muller, certain ganoids, as the Amiidæ (order Hale com or phi ) and Lepidosteidæ (order Ginglymodi ). See cuts under Per cops is, pike, and Esox.