/U ACANTHOPTERYGir. SPHYB^NAD^. 



are quite detached from the bones of the shoulders. 

 The head is long, and the lower jaw projects be- 

 yond the upper, giving a ferocious aspect to the 

 countenance, well borne out by the habits and 

 powers of at least the principal genus. They 

 have two dorsals, both placed far behind ; the 

 second is small, and in one of the genera {Para- 



HEAD OF BARRACOOTA. 



lepis), fleshy. The Family is very limited, con- 

 taining only about fifteen living species, inhabit- 

 ing the Mediterranean and the warmer parts of 

 the ocean. There are, however, thirteen fossil 

 species assigned to it. 



Genus Sphyrjena, 



The technical characters of this genus are, that 

 the body is slender and much lengthened ; the 

 jaws are long and broad, but of little depth ; the 

 mouth is large, armed with strong teeth, some of 

 which are larger and stouter than the others ; the 

 chin is advanced and pointed ; the two dorsal fins 

 are triangular in form, remote from each other, 

 and dividing the whole length of the body into 

 three equal parts ; the ventrals are placed beneath 

 the first dorsal. 



