VIH INTRODUCTION. 



rounded thickened form, short cubic liead, and large deciduous smootli 

 scales covering the head, cheeks, and operclcs, which are all unarmed and 

 even. This latter character will prevent their being confounded with the 

 Triglidee ; to some of which,' viz. the true Gurnards (Trigla), they 

 bear in shape considerable resemblance. The mouth is feebly armed with 

 teeth on the Percidous plan. The branchial opening is very large. 

 There are two separate triangular, short, dorsal fins. Internally, their 

 cceca are numerous. 



Examples : — The striped and plain Red Mullet ; the " Salmonete" of 

 Madeira ; and here, I think, also belongs a rare fish of hitherto doubtful 

 affinity, placed at the beginning of Percidce, near Apogon, by Cuvier and 

 Valenciennes, but to which genus its relation seems to be one rather of 

 analogy than of affinity, — the Ribaldo of Madeira, Pomalomus telescopus, 

 Risso. Its anatomy agrees perfectly with that of the Red Mullets, except 

 that it has a large, anteriorly emarginate, or bilobed air-bladder. 



Berycida : — The Beryx or Alfbnsin tribe. 



This is another small group, by Cuvier included amongst the Percidce^ 

 which may be advantageously detached. They are characterized by an ex- 

 tremely short muzzle, large eyes, enormous mouth, well armed with broad 

 bands of minute teeth, the bones of the head prominent and rough, scales 

 very rough. The dorsal fin is single, high in front, and with only a 

 few striate, generally crowded spines. The ventral fins are anormal in the 

 number of their rays. Internally, the ceecal appendages are excessively 

 numerous, forming a dense bundle. 



Examples: — The Alfonsins of Madeira {Beryx decadactylus, Cuv. and 

 B. splendens, nob.) ; Trachichthi/s pretiosus, nob. {Hoplostdhus mediter- 

 raneus, Val.) ; and Salmonete do alto {Polyviixia nobilis, nob.). 



Sphyrayiida : — The Spet, Sea-pike, or Ban-acuda tribe. 



This is another small group, requiring separation from the Percidtv ; 

 amongst which they are, however, much better placed by Cuvier than by 

 some of the older naturalists, who, mistaking certain resemblances of 

 analogy for real affinity, had formerly arranged these fishes near the common 

 Pike (Esox lucius^ L.). Their elongated slender form, and narrow 

 pointed muzzle, and long and formidable teeth, which led to this erroneous 

 association, will serve at once to distinguish them from most of their less 

 apparently near, but really close allies, the Perci'da;. A not less striking 

 character is the abdominal position of their ventral fins, considerably behind 

 the pectoral fins ; but this, perhaps, ought not to be considered of primary 

 importance, in order to admit Percophis, Cuv. The two dorsal fins are, in 

 at least the normal species, triangular and separate, as in the MuUidfr ; 

 the rays of the first being truly spinous. I'he scales are smooth and rather 

 soft. The pylortia is surrounded by numerous Cftca. The general tints 



