378 A HISTORY OF FISHES 



Flying-fishes (Exocoetidae) among others. The Microcyprini or 

 Toothed Carps, generally known as Cyprinodonts, represent a 

 large and varied order of small fishes, bearing a certain re- 

 semblance to the Synento gnathic as well as to the Trout Perches 

 or Pirate Perches (Percopsidae) , forming the order Salmopercae, 

 which may be placed here. Two orders, whose exact position 

 in the system is a little more obscure, although there can be 

 little doubt that they have sprung from some rather generalised 

 stock, are the Solenichthyes containing all the tube-mouthed 

 fishes, such as the Trumpet-fishes (Fistulariidae) , Shrimp-fishes 

 (Centriscidae) , Snipe-fishes (Macrorhamphosidae) and Pipe-fishes 

 [Syngnathidae) ; and the Anacanthini, an important group in- 

 cluding the Grenadiers [Macruridae) as well as the Cods and 

 allied forms (Gadidae). Another interesting order to be placed 

 here is the Allotriognathi, an assemblage of curious and diverse 

 forms, which, nevertheless, all agree in possessing a protractile 

 mouth, which has a peculiar structure and is actuated by a 

 mechanism different to that of all other fishes {cf. p. 117). This 

 group includes the large oceanic Opah {Lampris), the Deal- 

 fishes and Ribbon-fishes (Trachypteridae) , and the remarkable 

 deep-sea Stylophorus. 



All the fishes of the orders so far mentioned are provided 

 with soft-rayed fins, but with the Berycomorphi or Berycoid fishes 

 a brief survey of the spiny-rayed orders may be commenced. 

 In these the rays of the anterior parts of the dorsal and anal 

 fins are modified into (generally) stiflf, pointed spines, and the 

 pelvic fins are placed well forward, and the outermost ray of 

 each is spinous. The Berycoids are usually regarded as the 

 most primitive of Acanthopterygian fishes, but although a 

 profusion of forms existed in the Cretaceous period, compara- 

 tively few are found living to-day. Allied to these fishes are 

 the members of the order ^eomorphi, including the John Dories 

 iZ^idae) and Boar-fishes {Caproidae) among others. Further up 

 the main stem is the huge order of Perch-like fishes (Percomorphi) , 

 which is allied to the Berycoids and may be divided into some 

 fifteen sub-orders. The sub-order Percoidea includes all the 

 more typical families of the group: Sea Perches (Serranidae) , 

 Sun-fishes (Centrarchidae) , Perches (Percidae), Snappers (Luti- 

 anidae), Grunts {Haemulidae) , Drums [Sciaenidae), Horse Mack- 

 erels, etc. (Carangidae) , Sea Breams {Sparidae), Red Mullets' 

 (Muilidae), Wrasses (Labridae), etc. Of the remaining sub-orders 

 the more important include the Teuthidoidea, containing the 

 Surgeon-fishes {Teuthidae) ; the Trichiuroidea, with the Hair Tails 



