CHAPTER XXIII 

 THE SOUAMIPINNES 



E Squamipinnes. Very closely allied to the Per- 

 comorphi is the great group called Squamipinnes 

 (squama, scale; pinna, fin) by Cuvier and Epelasmia 

 by Cope. With a general agreement with the Percomorphi, it 

 is distinguished by the more or less complete soldering of the 

 post-temporal with the cranium. In the more specialized 

 forms we find also a soldering of the elements of the upper 



FIG. 335. Monodactylus argenteus (Linnaeus). 

 Family Scorpididce. 



From Apia, Samoa. 



jaw, and a progressive reduction in the size of the gill-opening. 

 The ventral fin retains its thoracic insertion, and, as in the 

 perch mackerel-like forms, it has one spine and five rays, never 

 any more. The ventral fins are occasionally lost in the adult, 



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