CLASS PISCES. 151 



with but one. Among the former are reckoned the 



genus 



Sclena, 



Of which the general characteristics are a rounded 

 head, supported by cavernous bones, and two, or some- 

 times but one, dorsal, deeply emarginated, and of 

 which the soft part is much longer than the spinous ; 

 a short anal fin ; a denticulated preoperculum ; an 

 operculum terminated in points ; seven rays to the 

 gills. This tribe resembles the perch, except that 

 the palate is unfurnished with teeth. The entire 

 head is scaly, the natatory bladder has often remark- 

 able appendages, and the stones of the ear are larger 

 than in most fish \ 



We divide this genus as follows : 



&' 



Sclena, (proper) Cuv., 



Have but weak prickles at the anal fin, and neither 



canine teeth nor barbies. 



One species is found in our seas, called 



Maigre at Aunis, Peisrey in Languedoc, Fegaro by 



the Genoese, Umbrina by the Romans, &c. 



Sclena Umbra, Guv. 

 Which grows to an immense size, six feet or more. 



1 This description of the genus scisena, is according to the opinion 

 of Artedi ; Linnaeus and his successors have variously modified it, 

 but we think not happily. 



