X INTRODUCTION. 



fins, and lateral line terminating at tlie end of the dorsal fin, in any case 

 belong rather to the Chtetodojitida. 



Hence it is plain the Scianidae require entire re-modelling, both as to 

 characters and limits. And then it may be possible, as it is perhaps 

 desirable, to retain under a distinct family name at least some part of its 

 constituents ; such as its more genuine typical forms, Sciana, Otolithus, 

 Anci/lodon, Corvina, Umbrina, Pogonias, &c. which have the air-bladder 

 so curiously furnished with appendages, in addition to the cavernous struc- 

 ture of the head-bones, and the absence of palatal teeth : exemplified by 

 the Maigre and Umbrina of England. Of this restricted group, however, 

 there is no Madeiran example. The only three Madeiran fishes which are 

 referred to Scianida in its wider sense by Cuvier and Valenciennes, will 

 in the following pages be removed, one (Roncador) to Percida, the other 

 two (Castanheta baia and Ferreiro) to Chatodo7itida. 



Sparid(E : — The Spare or Sea-bream tribe. 



Once seen, not easily to be confounded afterwards with others, from their 

 peculiar physiognomy and habit. The form is considerably compressed, and 

 generally deep; the mouth small, often furnished with teeth in front 

 resembling the human, and round-headed grinders on the sides ; there are 

 none, however, on the palate; and both the opercles are unarmed, and with 

 entire edges. The lips are fleshy, and the suborbitaries form a plain broad 

 plate before the eyes. Their colours are generally silvery, with often 

 richly iridescent rosy tints. Most of them inhabit the more temperate 

 regions of the globe ; and their flesh, though not of first-rate excellence, is 

 generally good. 



Examples: — The Gilthead, Braize, Sea- bream, in England; and Sargo, 

 Goraz, Pargo, Salema, &c. in Madeira. 



Mcenidit : — The Picarel or Smaris tribe. 



A small group of fishes, included formerly amongst the Sparidie, but 

 distinguished by the curiously protractile mouth, which, when opening, 

 suddenly extends into a tube ; as in the John Dory. Their form is more 

 slender and elongated, or less deep, than in most of the Sparidte ; and 

 their colours are still more brilliantly and richly iridescent. 



Example: — Bocairao or Boqueirao of Madeira. 



ChtEtodontida : — The Chsetodon or Flag-fish tribe. 



An extensive group of chiefly tropical fishes, small in size, but remark- 

 able for the brilliancy, variety, and singular regularity of distribution of 

 their colouring. Their shape is oval, short, and generally deep ; always 

 considerably compressed. The mouth is small, the whole head scaly, usu- 

 ally unarmed. Their principal characteristic iy, however, the continuation 

 of the scales over tlie base of, at least, the soft part of the dorsal and 

 the anal fins, concealing more or less of the lower portions of tlieir rays. 



