412 CONTRIBIITIOXS TO NORTH AMERICAN ICIITHYOLOGY IV. 
C51. S. paciJda Rlocli & ScRueider . — Picuda ; Barracuda. 
Origin of lirst dorsal opposite ventrals, far in advance of the middle 
of the body, at the tip of the pectorals, interspace between dorsals one- 
tifth of total length. Pectoral fins one-eleventh of total length. Scales 
large. Head 3X in total length; depth 74-. D. V-I, 9; A. I, 0; scales 
9_S;j-lo. A'ertebraj 12 + 12. L. 34 feet. {Giinther.) West Indies, 
north to Florida. 
(Bloch & Schneider, 1801, 110: Splujra^na barracuda Ciiv. & Val. hi, 343; Giinther, 
ii, 33 j; Goode & Beau, Rroc. U. S. Nat. Mns. 1879, 14G.) 
Family LXVIIL— POLYNEMID.E. 
{The Thread-fins.) 
Body oblong, compressed, covered with rather large scales, which are 
feebly ciliated or sniooth; lateral linecontinnons, extending on the cau- 
dal tin. Head entirely scaly ; snout conic, projecting over the horizontal 
month, which is rather large, the maxillary extending to beyond the eye. 
Eye lateral, anterior, large, with a large adipose eyelid. Villiform teeth 
on jaws and i)alatines and usually on vomer also. Psendobrauchite con- 
cealed. Branchiostegals 7. Gill-membranes separate, free from isth- 
mus. Gills 4, a slit behind fourth. Dorsal fins 2, well separated, as 
in the Pereesoces^ the first of about 7 feeble but rather high spines, the 
second rather larger, of soft rays. Anal fin similar to the soft dorsal, 
sometimes larger; caudal fin widely forked; second dorsal, anal, and 
caudal fins usually covered with small scales ; ventrals I, 5, thoracic, 
but placed well behind the pectoi’als; pectoral fins moderate, placed 
low, divided into two parts, the lower and anterior iiortion composed 
of several filiform articulated appendages, free from each othei', organs 
of touch. Bones of skull with a well-developed muciferous system, as 
in Sekenidee. Basis cranii double, with tube ; post-temporal bifurcate ; 
scapula with median foramen ; superior pharyngeal bones 4, third 
largest, narrow, directed forward. Basal pectoral bones divided; two 
normal, supporting the fin, one longitudinal without rays, and one a 
plate on the coracoid, supporting elongate rays. Stomach coecal, with 
a few pyloric appendages. Air-bladder various, sometimes wanting. 
YertebrtB24. Genera 3; species 25. Troiucal seas. A singular groui), 
ill some respects intermediate between Sciccnidcc and Mugilidee, but not 
closely related to any other of our fishes. Most of them are valued as 
food fishes. 
{Poli/iiemidw Giiiiiher, ii, 319-333.) 
a. Vomer with teeth ; preopercle serrate ; anal fin not innch larger than second dor- 
sal POLYNEMUS, 2t)3. 
