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TELEOSTEI 



on Labrus rupestris in an aquarium, the fish seeking a sleeping 

 place at night and laying itself down to rest on one side. 



As first pointed out by Giinther, the Labridae found in 

 temperate regions have a higher number (30 to 41) of vertebrae 

 than those inhabiting the tropics (23 to 29), a rule which 

 applies more or less to other families of Acanthopterygians. 

 Remains of Labrus and Julis occur in the Eocene and Miocene 

 of Europe. An allied fossil genus, Labrodon, is represented by 

 numerous species in Tertiary beds of Europe and North America. 

 Phyllodus, Egertonia, Platylaemus, and Pseudosphaerodon, from 

 the Eocene and Miocene, are referred, with doubt, to this family. 



Fam. 36. Scaridae. Closely allied to the preceding, with 

 which they have usually been united, but differing in the more 

 or less coalescent teeth, forming often a parrot -like beak, the 

 lower pharyngeals united into a concave or spoon-shaped bone 

 with flat, tessellated teeth ; and in the development of transverse 

 processes from the first vertebra. Vertebrae 24 or 25. 



Curious, mostly brilliantly-coloured fishes of the tropical seas 

 and the Mediterranean, especially abundant about coral-reefs. 

 " Parrot- Wrasses " feed mostly on vegetable matter, corals, and 



FIG. 413. Upper and lower pharyngeal bones of Scarus strongylocephalus. 

 (After Jordan and Evermann.) 



on hard-shelled Mollusca, for crushing which their dentition is 

 well adapted. The largest reach a length of 4 feet. Some are 

 much valued as food, whilst others are reputed poisonous. About 

 110 species are known, referable to 8 genera : Cryptotomus 

 (Calliodon), Calotomus, Sparisoma, Scarus, Pseudoscarus, Odax, 

 Coridodax, Siphonognathus. The latter is very aberrant in shape, 

 the head and body resembling those of a Pipe-Fish. 



Scarus is reported from the Eocene and Miocene of Europe. 



