51 



Fam. 3. PERCID^E. 



Percoidei, pt., Cuv. Rrt/nc Anim. ; Cuv. 4' Vul. ii. p. 1 ; M'uller, Berl. 



AhltauM/. 1844, p. 201. 

 PercidtB, pt., Oiocn, Lcct. Conip. Aunt. Vert. i. p. 49. 

 Percidoe et TlieraponidiC, pt., liichardsoii. 



Body generally oblong, and covered with ctenoid scales ; lateral 

 line continuous*. Mouth in front of the snout, with lateral cleft, 

 rarely at tlie lower side. Eye lateral. All or some of the opcrcles 

 serrated or armedf- Seven or six branchiostegalsj. Dentition com- 

 plete ; teeth pointed, in A-ilUform bands, ^^dth or without canines ; 

 teeth either on the vomer, or on the vomer and palatine bones. No 

 barbels §. Cheek not cuirassed. Dorsal fin formed by a spinous 

 portion and by a soft*; ventrals thoracic, with one spine and five 

 soft rays. Stomach ca)cal ; pyloric appendages generally in smaU 

 number. Swim-bladder present, simple ||. Intestines little folded 



Carnivorous fishes, inhabiting the fresh waters and seas of all 

 parts of the globe. 



Synopsis of the Genera. 



The following Sj-nopsis is merely to facilitate the determining the 

 position which a species of fish takes in the system of the Percoids 

 known at present, whilst in the description itself a series has been 

 adopted which is thought best adapted to the natural relations of the 

 genera. Without fully repeating the diagnoses of the genera, it would 

 have been impossible to foUow the same succession in this Synopsis, 

 and it would have failed in accomplishing the purpose above named. 

 Thus it is not intended to give, in the single categories of the Synopsis, 

 the forms most closely allied to one another, but cei'tain forms are 

 brought together by an artificial method. Finally, I consider tlie 

 number of the spines to be a natural generic character, wliich, simple 

 as it is, has hitherto been neglected in the definition o{ genera. 



A. Anomalous genera. 



With a barbel. Two dorsals ; operculum spiniferous, prac- 

 operculum denticulated ; scales imbedded in the skin ... 30. Pogonoperca. 



No teeth at all on the palate. Natural characters of 



Serranus 2."). Prionodks. 



B. Normal genera. 



I. Seven btanchiostegals. 



A. All the teeth viUiform, without canines. 



* Some species of Amhassis excepted. t Except Apsilus. 



I Cfr. Pcrcilia. % Except Pogonoperca. 



II In Pileoma and Rolcoanma absent. 



E 2 



