PERCH-LIKE FISHES 129 



eggs. These eggs are almost certainly of the buoyant type, 

 and are probably shed in the open sea. The young fish are 

 more slender than the adults, and the characteristic crest 

 on the head is at first little marked ; as growth proceeds, the 

 shape of the head alters considerably. 



The Dolphin is said to provide good eating, but it is not 

 taken in sufficient numbers to be of commercial importance. A 

 curious custom is to test the flesh before eating by putting a 

 piece of silver into the vessel in which this has been cooked ; 

 if the flesh is poisonous the silver is said to turn black. The 

 Dolphin has been taken on rod and line, but is not much sought 

 after by sportsmen. The record fish seems to have been one 

 caught in 1930 by Mr. Zane Grey near Papeete (Tahiti), which 

 turned the scale at 63 lb. 



The name " Dolphin " is perhaps an unfortunate one, as 

 this has always been held to belong to certain small Cetaceans. 

 The scientific name, Coryphcena, was first used by Aristotle, 

 and is derived from two Greek words meaning " helmet " and 

 " to show " — presumably an allusion to the steep forehead ; 

 hippums means " horse tail " 



CROAKERS OR RONCADORS. 



(Family ScleniD;E.) Fig. 43. 



Percoids with an oblong or rather long, compressed body, 

 covered with thin scales, which are either smooth or with 

 somewhat finely toothed edges. The head is covered with 

 scales, and its upper surface has a more or less spongy texture, 

 due to the presence of large mucous cavities in the bones. 

 The snout often has some conspicuous pores or slits, which 

 are nearly always present on the chin. There are two nostrils 

 on each side of the snout. Each gill-cover has two small flat 

 points. The mouth varies greatly both in size and shape. 

 The jaws are usually provided with bands or rows of small, 

 pointed teeth, and there may be an outer row of larger teeth 

 in one or both jaws, and sometimes some large canine teeth in 

 front ; there are no teeth on the roof of the mouth or on the 

 tongue. The aorsal fin is either deeply notched in the middle 

 or is divided into two separate parts, the front portion being 



