ACANTHOPTERYGII. 157 



V, xiv, 2, or the Zeus maculatus^ Bl., Schn. pi. xxii, Rus- 

 sell., 60. It is of a fine silver colour, spotted with blackish near 

 the back. From the Indian Ocean. 



Stromateus, Lin. 



The same compressed form as in the different species of Zeus, and 

 similar diminutive and slightly apparent scales, under a satiny epi- 

 dermisj but the snout is obtuse and non-protractile; a single dorsal 

 whose few spines are concealed in its anterior edge; no ventrals. 

 The vertical fins are sufficiently thick to tempt us to approximate 

 them also to the Squammipennes. Independently of the ordinary 

 lateral line, there is a stria on the flank which has been considered 

 as a second one. The oesophagus is armed with a number of spines 

 which are attached to the velvet by radiating roots. 



S.fiatola^ L.; Belon, Aquat., 153; Rondel. 493.(1) A pretty, 

 oblong species, inhabiting the Mediterranean, remarkable for 

 spots and interrupted bands of a golden tint, on a lead coloured 

 ground. 



S. stellatus, Cuv., from the coast of Peru, is nearly similar 

 in form, but is sprinkled with black spots; it is common in the 

 markets at Lima. 



Several other species inhabit the Indian Ocean, called by the 

 French colonists Pamples. They are generally more elevated 

 than the fiatola, and spines or trenchant blades are frequently 

 found before their dorsal, and even their anal. (2) We may dis- 

 tinguish from among them the 



Peprilus, Cuv. 



Where the pelvis forms a trenchant and pointed blade, before 

 the anus, that might be taken for a vestige of ventrals. (3) Besides 

 this, there are the trenchant blades of which we have just spoken, 

 and there is even one species in which these blades are crenated.(4) 



(1) This fig-., in which the left pectoral is bent downwards, being mistaken by 

 Lacep . for a ventral, gave rise to his genus Chrysostromus, which must conse- 

 quently be suppressed. 



(2) The Stromateus niger, Bl. 422, and better 160, under the false name of Str. 

 paru, Russ. 43; the Sir. alius, Cuv., Russ. 44; Str. candidus, Cuv., Russ. 42; 

 Str. argenteus, Euphrasen, New Stockh. Mem., IX, pi. ix, or Sir. aculeatus, Bl., 

 Schn. ; Str. griseus, Cuv. 



(3) Chsetodon akpidotus, h., ov Stromateus longipinnis, Mitch.; Str. cryptosus, 

 Mitch. ; Str. paru, Sloane, Jam. II, pi. ccl, f. A . 



(4) Feprilus crenulatus, Cuv., a small and new species. 



