A REVIEW OF THE ERYTHRININiE. 



BY CARL H. EIGENMANN AND ROSA S. EIGENMANN. 

 (With Plate I.) 



The Erythriniii8e is a sub-family of the Characinidse. It 

 has usually been separated from the remaining sub-families 

 on account of the absence of an adipose fin. This absence 

 of the adipose fin, when isolated from other characters, 

 seems to us to be of little value in classification. The gen- 

 era of this sub-family are more closely related to the Anos- 

 tomatinas than they are to the Curimatinae, with which they 

 have usually been associated. 



The species of this sub-family are, with two exceptions, 

 confined to the eastern slopes of South America and the ad- 

 jacent islands. 



The specimens examined belong to the Museum of Com- 

 parative Zoology at Cambridge, Mass. 



ERYTHRININ.E. 



Adipose fin none. Gill opening wide, the membranes 

 slightly united, free from the isthmus. Nares approxi- 

 mated. Teeth well developed, at least in the jaws; pharyn- 

 geal teeth villiform. Cheeks covered by the suborbital 

 bones. Brain case entirely enclosed above. Body elongate, 

 slender, fusiform or sub-fusiform. Back not greatly arched, 

 belly rounded. Dorsal short, of 8 to 15 rays. Intestines 

 short. Carnivorous. 



ANALYSIS OF THE GENERA. 



a. Dorsal iu advance of the aaal, usually over or little behind the ventrals. 

 A. 10-13. 



6. Gape very wide, little oblique, maxillary reaching at least middle of 

 orbit. Intermaxillaries and dentaries with strong canines ; maxillary 

 with fine pectinate teeth; palatines dentiferous. Caudal rounded; dor- 

 sal over ventrals. Lateral line developed. 



2d Seu. Vol. H. November 8, 18^9. 



