332 VERTEBRATES : FISHES. 



front. The Squeteague, or 

 Weak-Fish, O. rcgalis, Cuv. 

 & Val., of the Atlantic, is 

 from twelve to twenty-four 

 inches long, bluish above, 

 varied with dusky ; ventrals 

 and anals orange. 



The Genus Amblodon has the lower pharyngeals sol- 

 dered together, and covered with thick, heavy, pavement- 

 like crushing-teeth, arranged in regular rows, and opposed 

 by the same kind of teeth in the upper pharyngeals. 



The Lake Sheepshead, A. grunniens, Rafin., of the 

 Northern and Western lakes, is from twelve to thirty-six 

 inches long, silvery above, grayish-white below. 



The Genus Umbrina is characterized by a single cirrus 

 on the point of the lower jaw. The species are marine. 



The King-Fish, U. ncbulosa, Storer, of the Atlantic 

 coast of the United States, is from twelve to eighteen 

 inches long, the color dark gray, with transverse dusky 

 bars and bands. 



SPARID^E, OR PORGEE FAMILY. This Family com- 

 prises spine-rayed fishes which have no teeth in the pal- 

 ate, no spines or teeth on the opercular bones, the muzzle 

 not gibbous, and the bones of the head not cavernous. 

 The genera are thirteen, species nearly two hundred. 



The Genus Sargus has trenchant incisors in front, sim- 

 ilar to those of man. 



The Sheepshead, 6". ovis, Cuv., of the Atlantic coast of 

 the United States, is from twelve to thirty-six inches long, 

 with the tail abruptly diminished from the body ; color 

 dull silvery on the sides, brassy on the back, with dark 

 transverse bands. Its flesh is very highly prized. 



The Genus Pagrus has from four to six stout conical 

 teeth in the front of each jaw, and two series of round 

 teeth on the sides. 



