1936] Schults: Keys to Fishes 209 



Polygamous. Mating with more than one female. 



Polyphyodont. Said of teeth which are shed and new ones immedi- 

 ately take their place from beneath. 



Postclavicle. A ray-like bone composed of one or two elements at- 

 tached to the inner upper surface of the clavicle and extending 

 downward. 



Postorbital. Behind eye. In measurments, the greatest length of head 

 between hindermost edge of orbit and opercular edge. 



Postrostral. Behind the snout. 



Post-temporal. The bone by which the shoulder girdle is suspended 

 to the cranium in fishes. 



Precoracoid arch. See mesocoracoid. 



Prefrontals. Bones forming lateral projections on the anterior mar- 

 gins of the orbits. 



Premaxillaries. The bones, one on either side, forming the front of 

 the upper jaw in fishes. 



Preocular. Before the eye. 



Preopercle. The membrane bone lying in front of the opercle, near- 

 ly parallel with it. 



Preorbital. The large membrane bone before the eye, in fishes. 



Procoelian. Concave in front only. 



Procurrent fin. With the lower rays inserted progressively farther 

 forward. 



Profile. The curve from the front of the dorsal fin to the tip of the 

 snout. 



Projectile. Capable of being thrust forward. 



Prootic. A bone forming an anterolateral ossification of the brain 

 case. 



Protractile. Capable of being drawn forward. 



Proximal. Nearest; basal. 



Pseudobranchiae. Small gills developed on the inner side of the oper- 

 cle near its junction with the preopercle. 



Pterotic. A bone at the posterior lateral process of the skull. 



Pterygoids. Bones of the roof of the mouth in fishes, behind the 

 palatines. 



Pubic bones. Same as pelvic bones 



Pulmonary. Pertaining to the lungs. 



Punctate or punctulate. Dotted with points; either of color or struc- 

 ture. 



Pyloric caeca or coeca. See caecum. 



Pylorus. Passage from stomach to intestine. 



