234 scouBRESociu-i:. 



1. BELONE*. 

 Beloue, Cuv. Rc^gite Arum. 



Both jaws prolonged into a long, slender beak, the upper part 

 being formed by the intermaxillaries, which are united by a longi- 

 tudinal suture. Both jaws with a band of asperities, and with a 

 scries of longer, conical, pointed, widely-set teeth. Body elongate, 

 slender, covered with small scales. All the dorsal and anal rays 

 connected by a membrane. Gill-openings very wide. Intestinal 

 track simple, without pyloric appendages. Air-bladder large. 



Seas of the temperate and tropical regions, many species entering 

 fresh waters. 



Yery young specimens have the jaws not prolonged ; and during 

 growth the lower jaw is much more in advance of the u^jper than is 

 the case when the fish has reached the adult state. 



The numerous species may be subdivided thus : — ■ 



A. Anterior dorsal rays prolonged, forming a lobe, or giving a falciform 



appearance to the fin : Belone. 



1. The free portion of the tail is strongly depressed, with a sharp 



lateral edge, p. 235. 



2. The free portion of the tail is moderately or slightly depressed, 



without lateral edge ; or the lateral line passes into a slight, 

 generally black-coloured keel. 



a. The posterior dorsal rays are more or less prolonged, 



the last extending nearly or quite to the root of 

 the caudal fin, p. 2.38. 



b. The middle and posterior dorsal rays are short, sub- 



equal in length, p. 242. 



3. The free portion of the tail is strongly compressed ; lateral line 



without keel. 



a. No teeth on the palate, p. 248. 



b. Teeth on the galate, p. 254. 



B. Dorsal rays subequal in length, the anterior ones not forming a lobe : 



Potamorrhaphis, va. 



* 1. Belone ardeola, C. cf T. xviii. p. 425. — Martiuique. 



2. galeata, C. cj- V. xviii. p. 429. — Cayenne. 



3. cigonella, C. ^ V. xviii. p. 436. — Portorico. 



4. argalus, C. ^ V. xviii. p. 439. — Guadeloupe. 



5. macrolepis, Bleek. I. c. xii. p. 225. — Nias. 



6. esocina Basil. Nouv. Mem. Soc. Nat. Mosc. 1855, s. p. 260. — China. 



7. altipinna, Poey, Mem. Cub. ii. p. 293.— Cuba. D. 24. A. 23. 



8. undecim-radiataj^Mofyc, in MUller, Archiv, 1848, p. 383. — Hab. ? 



