ACANTHOPTERYGIANS 1 CH.-ETODONTID^. 333 



The Scupaug, Scup, or Big Porgee, P. argyrops, Cuv., of 

 the Atlantic coast of the United Fig . 20I . 



States, is from eight to twelve 

 inches long, with a short recum- 

 bent spine in front of the dorsal 

 fin, and the sides with brilliant 

 metallic reflections. 



ClLETODONTIDjE, OR CH/ETO- Scupaug, P. argyrofs, Cuv. 



DON FAMILY. This Family comprises spine-rayed fishes 

 which have the body compressed and scaly, and the dor- 

 sal and anal fins scaly. The Chastodons are so named 

 from their teeth, which resemble bristles collected in rows 

 like those of a brush. Their mouth is small, and colors 

 brilliant. They abound in the hot seas. Eighteen gen- 

 era and one hundred and fifty species are enumerated. 



The Genus Ch&todon contains C. restrains, BL, of Java, 

 which has the faculty of spirting drops of water so as to 

 hit insects on the plants near by, and bring them down 

 so that it can secure them for food. 



The Genus Epkippus contains those known as Horse- 

 men. They have a dorsal deeply emarginate between 

 the spinous and soft rays ; and the spinous part can be 

 folded into a groove formed by the scales of the back. 



The Banded Ephippus, E. fabcr, Cuv. & Val., of the 

 Atlantic, is from five to eighteen inches long, brownish, 

 with six broad, vertical dusky-bluish bands. 



The Genus Pimclcptcms has the fins much thickened 

 by the scales which cover them. It contains the Razor- 

 Fish, P. Boscii, Cuv. & Val., of the Atlantic, near the 

 Southern coast. It is six inches long. 



The Genus Toxotes contains the Archer, T. jaailator, 

 Cuv., of Java, celebrated for the same faculty which dis- 

 tinguishes C. rostratus, that of spirting drops of water so 

 as to bring down insects from the plants above it, forcing 

 water three or four feet, and rarely missing its aim. 



