CLASS PISCES. 171 



species, the stone-bass of Jamaica, is said occasionally 

 to penetrate as far as the coast of Cornwall, following 

 pieces of wood covered with anatifse, carried there by 

 the currents \ 



The sixth family of Acanthopterygii, or that of 



Squamipennes, 



Is thus named, because the soft, and frequently the 

 spinous parts of their dorsal and anal fins are covered 

 with scales, which encrust them, as it were, and ren- 

 der it difficult to distinguish them from the mass of 

 the body. This is the most obvious character of 

 these fishes, the body of which is generally much com- 

 pressed, the intestines long, and the cceca numerous. 

 They were comprized by Linnaeus in the genus 



Ciletodon, Lin. 



So named from their teeth, which in length and 

 tenuity, resemble hairs collected in several close rows 

 like a brush. Their mouth is small; their dorsal 

 and anal fins are so completely covered with scales 

 that it is extremely difficult tb ascertain where they 

 commence. These fishes are very abundant in the 

 seas of hot climates, and are adorned with the most 

 beautiful colours, circumstances which have caused 

 many to be figured, and rendered them common in 

 our cabinets. Their intestines are long and ample, 



1 Couch, Lin. Trans, xiv. part i. p. 81. 



