KEY TO THE PRINCIPAL FISHES 195 



e. The dorsal fin is placed near the middle of the 

 back, and in front of the anal fin ; its last ray 

 is drawn out into a long filament 



Tarpon (p. 93). 

 ee. The dorsal fin is placed on the hinder part of 

 the back, and more or less opposite to the 

 anal fin ; its last ray is not prolonged. 

 F. Both jaws are drawn out to form a long 

 "beak", which is armed with small 

 pointed teeth mixed with larger needle- 

 like teeth ; the pectoral fins are of 

 moderate size ; the scales are small 



Gar-fishes or Needle-fishes (p. 102). 

 ff. The jaws are short and do not form a 

 "beak"; the teeth are all small and 

 feeble ; the pectoral fins are very large ; 

 the scales are of moderate size 



Flying-fishes (p. 104). 

 cc. There are 2 dorsal fins, the first being composed 

 of stiff spines ; the pelvic fins are placed below 

 the hinder parts of the pectoral fins ; the scales 

 are small .... Barracudas (p. 169). 

 bb. The pelvic fins are placed farther forward, being just 

 behind, below, or in front of the bases of the 

 pectoral fins. 

 G. The snout and jaws are not drawn out to form a 

 pointed " spear ". 

 h. The eyes are normal, one being on each side of 

 the head. 

 1. The spinous dorsal fin, if this is present, is not 

 transformed into an adhesive disc. 

 j. Each pelvic fin has from 15 to 17 rays ; the 

 body is deep and nearly oval in shape 



Opah or Moonfish (p. 107). 

 j j. Each pelvic fin has from 1 to 9 rays 

 (generally 6) ; the body is never very 

 deep or oval in shape. 

 k. No detached finlets behind the dorsal 

 and anal fins. 

 l. The body is compressed and more or 

 less band-like, usually rather long ; 

 the skin is either naked or with some 

 scattered spines or tubercles ; there 

 is a long dorsal fin, running for nearly 

 the whole length of the back. 

 M. There is no anal fin ; the mouth is 

 small, and is toothless or provided 

 with feeble teeth. 



