654 TELEOSTEI 



III Kibs inserted on the transverse processes when these 



are developed ; not more than 3 anal spines. 

 Mouth not or but feebly protractile ; spinous dorsal usually longer than 



the soft ; anal \vith 1 or 2 spines . . .9. Percidae. 

 Mouth moderately protractile ; palate toothed ; spinous dorsal not longer 



than the soft ; anal with 2 or 3 spines . .10. Acropomatidae. 

 Mouth very protractile ; palate toothless ; praemaxillary witli an upwardly 

 directed lateral process . . . . .17. Gerridae. 



Mouth moderately protractile ; palate toothed ; anal longer than soft dorsal ; 

 body scaly . . . . . . .18. Lactariidae. 



Mouth moderately protractile ; palate toothless ; anal much longer than soft 

 dorsal ; body naked . . . . .19. Trichodontidae. 



ft Transverse processes developed on the third vertebra 



and bearing the ribs ; palate usually toothless. 



Xo subocular shelf; teeth small . . . 22. Pristipomatidae. 



A subocular shelf ; teeth often large, either cutting in front or molar-like 

 on the sides . . . . . . .23. Sparidae. 



A subocular shelf; teeth very small or absent; a pair of barbels on the 

 throat . . . . . . . .24. Mullidae. 



** Ventrals rather far behind the base of the pectorals ; 

 lower pectoral rays unbranched, often thickened ; no 

 subocular shelf. 



Anal fin nearly as long as the soft dorsal . . 20. Latrididae. 

 Anal fin much shorter than the soft dorsal . .21. Haplodactylidae. 

 8. Gill-membranes attached to the isthmus. 



* Scales well developed ; vertebrae 24 or more. 



A subocular shelf ; mouth small ; palate toothless 27. Chaetodontidae. 

 Xo subocular shelf ; mouth small ; palate toothless 28. Drepanidae. 

 Subocular shelf more or less developed ; a superbranchial respiratory organ 



31. Osphromenidae. 



** Scales minute ; mouth small ; vertebrae 22 or 23. 



Post-temporal not distinctly forked ; vertebrae with strong transverse pro- 

 cesses ; ventrals with 1 spine and 2 to 5 soft rays 29. Acanthuridae. 

 Post-temporal forked ; vertebrae without transverse processes ; ventrals with 

 2 spines and 3 soft rays between them . .30. Teuthididae. 



b. Lower pharyngeals completely united into one bone, without 

 median suture . . . . .32. Embiotocidae. 



B. A single nostril on each side ; lower pharyngeal bones more or less 

 completely united, but with persistent suture ; no subocular shelf ; palate 

 toothless ........ 33. Cichlidae. 



II. Gills three and a half; lower pharyngeals completely united into one 

 bone, without median suture ; palate toothless. 



A single nostril on each side ; teeth conical or incisor-like ; a subocular 

 shelf ........ 34. Pomacentridae. 



Two nostrils on each side ; anterior teeth usually strong and canine-like ; 

 teeth on pharyngeal bones conical or tubercular ; no subocular shelf 



35. Labridae. 



Two nostrils on each side ; anterior teeth more or less coalesced into a beak ; 

 teeth on pharyngeal bones flat, tessellated ; no subocular shelf 



36. Scaridae. 



