203 



DENTEX. 



CuviER places this genus within his family of Sparoides or Sea 

 Bream-like Fishes, which he divides into generic sections, principally- 

 according to the situation or structure of their teeth; a ground of 

 division which might appear slight if it were not that the number 

 of species in this family is so great, that confusion must follow if 

 some means of separation were not adopted by which sections of them 

 could be kept distinct. The generality of naturalists have been con- 

 tent to follow Cuvier in this arrangement, and the appearance of the 

 only species we know seemed to warrant it; but Dr. Gunther, in his 

 "Catalogue of the Fishes of the British Museum," has placed the 

 genus far away from those with which it had been associated, so that 

 even the Surmullets are permitted to stand between. "Without 

 attempting to pronounce an opinion on this last arrangement, regarded 

 in the light of a connection or separation of affinities, we are con- 

 tent to follow it for a species which is the only one we have of the 

 genus, and which can only be considered a stranger on our shores. 



According to Cuvier the genus Dentex is characterized by having 

 conical teeth, even on the sides of the jaws, and generally in one 

 range; and those immediately in front are lengthened into large hooks. 

 The cheeks have scales; the edge of the first gill-cover even, or 

 without notches. 



DENTEX. 



Four-toothed Sparus, Jonston; Article 6. 



" " WiLLOUGHBY; p. 312, tab. v. 3, 



Dentex, Synodon, Sijnagris. 



Sjmrtis dentex, Linnaeus. Donovan; pi. 73. 



Dentex vulgaris, Cuvier. Jexyns; Manual, p. 357. 



" " Yarrell; Br. Fishes, vol. i, p. 127. 



Spare dente, Lacepede. Risso; p. 2-51, and Dentex cetti. 



" " Guktiier's Cat. of Br. Museum, vol. i, p. 366. 



This fish is well known through the whole length of the 

 Mediterranean, and is distinguished for its large size as com- 

 pared with others with which it has been usual to associate it; 

 as well as by its rapid growth, and eagerness in pursuit of 

 prey, to which its long and formidable teeth render it a 



