INTRODUCTION. 



to tlic Sturgeons, and to certain Sharks and Rays, The singular genus 

 Oreosoma, Cuv. seems also truly of this family. But of the other genera 

 which have been commonly associated with Zeus, Capros, Lac. (the Boar- 

 fish or Tem-te-em-pe of Madeira), is far more properly related, through 

 E7wplosus, Lac. to the Percidct ; if it be not, indeed, ratlier the type of 

 another distinct family, Caprida: and Equula, Cuv. should certainly be 

 placed in MxnidcE, next to Gerres^ Cuv. ; whilst Lampris, Retz. and 

 Mene, Lac. belong to the Cori/phanida, another group, which ought to be 

 detached from the Scombrida, and of which the Dolphin or Dorado of 

 sailors {Coryphana, L.) is the type. These differ from the genuine Scom- 

 bridte in their greater or more conspicuous scaliness of body, and single 

 elongated dorsal fin ; the spines of whicli are either flexible and feeble, 

 though not jointed as in the true Malacopterygians, or else are short and 

 inconspicuous. The front or profile is peculiarly short, abrupt, and steep ; 

 the eye placed low, giving a certain obliquity of aspect. The sides of the 

 tail are generally neither keeled nor cuirassed ; there are no spurious finlets 

 at the hinder end, and generally no free spines at the front of the dorsal 

 or the anal fin. The genera wdiich may be thus associated are Cori/phaiia, 

 Lampiigiis, Pompilus, {Centrolophus, Lac.) Seserinus, Stromateus, Pe- 

 prilus, Cuv. {Rhombus, Lac. and Val.) Lampris, Mene, Brama, Bl. (a 

 genus of long doubtful and perplexed aflnnity, placed by Cuvier and Valen- 

 ciennes at the end of Chatodontid^), Pteraclis, Asteroderma {Diana, 

 Risso), Luvarus (Ausoma, Risso) ; and perhaps Apolectus and Ktirtus. 



Examples : — The Black-fish and Ray's Bream of England ; the Dou- 

 rados, Delfim, Leiro or Liro,* and Freira,-]- of Madeira, 



Passing again over the tribe of the Riband-shaped fishes, {Tanioida;) 

 of which there is no genuine Madeiran representative, and the equally ex- 

 otic fimiily of " Les Theutyes" (Teuthida) of Cuvier, we come to the 



Mugilidee : — The Grey Mullet tribe ; 



Characterized by their thick, almost cylindric form, large scales, ventral 

 fins placed somewhat behind the pectoral, and very peculiar mouth or lips. 

 They are fishes of remarkably active powers, and their flesh is universally 

 esteemed. The Grey Mullet of England, and Tainha of Madeira, are ex- 

 amples. The species are all extremely alike, requiring much attention for 

 their discrimination. 



The Atherinc or Sand-smelt of Southampton, Guelro of Madeira, " Le 

 Pretre" of the French, and other species of the genus Atherina, may 

 probably be regarded as the types of a distinct family, Atherinida, rather 

 than associated with the true Mugilidee. 



Blennida : — The Blcnny or Goby tribe {Leis Gobioides, Cuv.). 



A rather extensive family of small fishes, inhabiting generally rocky shores, 

 or pools left by the tide amongst the rocks ; characterized by their usually 



* Pompilus or Leirus Bennettii, nob. {Centroloplms ovatus .and crassus, Cuv. and Val.) 



t Brama Bait, Cuv. and Val. This seems to be its proper place ; near Pompilus or Centruhiphus. 



