Tel-e-os'te-e. L. teleosteus, fr. Gr.

complete, +

a bone - i. e., has a well-ossified skeleton, like ordinary fishes. This family has well-developed brain, optic nerves cross each other, but without any chiasm; heart has a non-contractile arterial bulb, fins have well-developed and distinct rays; skeleton is completely ossified, the backbone being composed of well-ossified vertebrae. Genus: 1. Gadus.