168 ORDER ACANTHOPTERYG1I. 



Oblada, Cuv. 



Differs from boops in having small crowded teeth be- 

 hind the incisors, which somewhat approximates this 

 genus to cantharus. 



The Mediterranean produces one, the 

 Ob. communis, Spams melanurus, L., Salv. 181. 

 Silvery, striped with blackish ; a broad black spot on 

 each side of the tail. 



We may form a fifth family of Acanthopterygii, of 

 the 



Menides. 



Which differ from the preceding families in the ex- 

 treme extensibility and retractibility of the upper jaw, 

 which is owing to the length of the intermaxillary 

 pedicles, which withdraw between the orbits. Their 

 body is scaly, as in sparus, in which genus they have 

 hitherto been placed. 



Mjena, Cuv., 



Distinguished from a true sparus by having very short, 

 small, and crowded teeth, in a narrow and longitu- 

 dinal band upon the vomer. Those also in the jaws 

 are all extremely fine, forming a very narrow band. 

 The body is oblong, compressed, and somewhat simi- 

 lar to that of a herring ; an elongated scale above 

 each of the ventrals, and another between them. Se- 

 veral species inhabit the Mediterranean. 



M. vulgaris Sparus ma?na, I,., Bl. 270. Back lead 



