238 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF 



The Berycinae are represented by two quite distinct ge#era. Beryx, Cuv. 

 with the B. decadactylus and B. splendens, Lowe, and Centroberyx, with Beryx 

 lineatus, Cuv. et Val. and B. affinis, Giinther. They are chiefly distinguished 

 by the structure of the fins. 



I. d. VI VII | 1213. A. IV., 1215. V. I. 7 Centroberyx. 



II. D. IV. 13 19. A. IV. 26 30. V. I. 10 or 1. 10 + x Beryx 



The family of Mrenoidei of Cuvier scarcely appears to be a natural one. 

 Gerres is probably the type of a distinct family (Gerreoidse, Blkr.) which has 

 two subfamilies and four genera. The Gerreinse are divisable into three 

 genera : 



I. Preoperculum serrated. Second dorsal and second anal spines 



very large Gerres. 



II. Preoperculum entire. Second dorsal and second anal spines 



moderate. 



Dorsal deeply notched... : Diapterus. 



Dorsal entire Synistius. 



Diapterus is the prior name of Eucinostomus, Baird and Girard. On that 

 account the name must be retained, although the gentlemen just named first 

 properly limited the genus, while Ranzani named it under a misapprehension 

 as to its affinities. Diapterus happens to be a very distinctive name, although 

 intended to allude to the supposed separation of the soft rays. It embraces 

 the Gerres aprion, Cuv., G. zebra, M. T., G. gula, Cuv. and many others. 

 Synistius has only one species, the Gerres longirostris. (Rapp.) of Giinther. 



The Pristipomatoids are represented by one subfamily and four genera, 

 Anisotremus, Gill, Pris/ipoma, Cuv., Orthopristis, Girard and Hccmulon, Cuv. 

 Lobotes Cuvier and Datnioidcs, Blkr., rather represent a family perhaps some- 

 what allied to the Nandoidse. 



The Sciaenoids are comparatively few in number. The Corvina ronchv.*, 

 Cuv., appears to belong to the genus Bairdiella. The Johniusdentex, Cuv., is 

 the type of the genus Odontoscion, Gill : before its position in the family can 

 be determined, it is requisite to know the proportions of the abdominal and 

 caudal vertebra? . 



The Pomacentroid genus Furcaria is scarcely distinct from Chromis, C. 

 (Heliases, C. V.) The Chromis tetracanthus, Poey represents a new genus 

 {Na?idopsix, Gill.) 



The Chastodontoids are represented by the genera Sarothrodus, Gill (=zCImz- 

 todon. Cuv. non Art.) Prognathodes, Gill, (Chelmo peltse, Gthr.) Holocanthas, 

 Lac, Chatodon, Art. (~Pomacanthus, Lac.) 



The Ephippioids by Parephippus, Gill. The genus Pempheris, Cuv., is the 

 type of a well-marked family, (Pempheroidas.) 



" The Corypha'nce and Lampugi of Val. do not appear to be generically dis- 

 tinct ; if, however, the latter are distinct, the name of Caranxomorus of Lace- 

 pede and Cuvier should be accepted. 



The family of Tamoides of Cuvier, or Cepolida?, is not a natural one, the 

 Trachypteri' and Lepturi of Artedi being little related to each other. The 

 name Lepturus is sufficiently distinct from Leptura. 



The Scombroids, as now limited, embrace the genera Scomber, Orycnus, 

 (Cuvier,) Cybium, Ruvettus, Cocco, Epinnula, Poey and Gcmpylus. Orycnus 

 may be substituted for Thynnus, the latter having been previously used in 

 entomology for a valid genus. 



The Carangoids may be distributed as follows: Caranx, C, Blkr., Carangoides, 

 Bleeker, Carangops, Gill,* (C. heteropygus, Poey,) Trachurops, Gill, (Caranx 



* In ihis genus there appears to be an unusual variation in dentition. In the specie 

 found along the coast of the Southern States of the Union (C.falcatus, Holbrook), 

 find in a specimen eleven inches long, a scarcely perceptible row of rather cistant teet 



[April, 



