208 FISHES. 



sz. Dorsal spines 8, very low, nearly equal and 

 scarcely connected ; snout blunt. 



Stromateidce, the Harvest Fishes, 

 sss. "With neither of the preceding combinations. 

 a. No teeth on vomer. 



Pristipomatidce, the Red Mouths. 

 CM. Teeth on vomer. 

 6. Canines present; branch iostegals 7. 



Serranidce, the Sea Bass. 

 66. No canines ; branchiostegals 6 ; eyes 

 large. . Priacanthidce, the Big Eyes, 

 yy. Opercular bones with entire edges. 

 c. Dorsal with nine to 20 spines ; anal III, 8 or 

 more ; lips large, fleshy. 



Labridce, the Wrasse Fishes, 

 cc. Dorsal with 9 spines ; anal III, 7. 



Gerridce, the Gerroids. 



FAMILIES OF ANACANTHINI. 



* Ventrals jugular, sometimes rudimentary. 



f Caudal fin developed as a separate fin ; lateral lie continoous. 



GADID^E, 97. 

 ft Caudal fin not separate, dorsal and anal confluent around the 



tail. 



\ Ventral fins developed, 4-rayed. Lycodidce, the Eel Pouts, 

 ft. Ventral fins replaced by a pair of bifid filaments. 



Ophidiidce, the Cusk Eels. 

 ** Ventral fins entirely wanting. 



a. Vent remote from the head. Ammodytida, the Sand Launces. 

 aa. Vent at the throat ; size small. Fierasferidce, the Fierasfers. 



FAMILIES OF HETEROSOMATA. 



* Pectoral fins well developed. . Pleuronectidce, the Flounders. 

 ** Pectoral fins wanting or rudimentary. . Soleidce, the Soles. 



FAMILIES OF PERCESOCES. 



* First dorsal with 5 to 7 flexible spines; body elongated; sides 



with a distinct silvery band. . . ATHERINIIXE, 99. 



