412 SPARIBJE. 



Fam. 7. SPARID^. 



Sparoidei, pt., ot Squamipinnes, pt., Cuv. Rbgne Anim. ; Cuv. 8f Val. 



Hist. Nat. des Poiss. ; Midler, Berl Abhandl. 1844, p. 201. 

 SpaxidaB, pt.,"et Ch8etodontida3, pt., Richardson. 



Body comjjressed and oblong, covered with scales, the serrature of 

 which is exceedingly minute, and sometimes wanting. Tail not armed. 

 Lateral line continuoiis, not continued on the caudal fin. Mouth 

 in front of the snout, with lateral cleft. Eye lateral, of moderate 

 size. Five, six or seven branchiostegals. Either trencJiant teeth in 

 front of the jaws, or lateral series of molar teeth* ; generally no teeth 

 on the palate. One dorsal fin, formed by a Spinous aild soft portion 

 of nearly equal development ; anal with three spines ; the lower rays 

 of the pectorals generally bKinohed, in one group simple ; ventrals 

 thoracic, with one spine and five rays. The bones of the head with 

 a rudimentary muciferous system. Air-bladder present, often bifid 

 posteriorly. Pseudobranchite well developed. 



Herbi- and carnivorous fishes, inhabiting the seas of the tempe- 

 rate and tropical regions ; a few entering rivers. 



Synopsis of the Groups. 



a. Cantharina. More or less broad, trenchant teeth in front of the 

 jaws ; no molars or vomerine teeth ; the lower pfectoral rays 

 branched. — Mostly vegetable feeders. 



6. Haplodactyliua. Trenchant teeth in front ; no molars ; the 

 lowpir pectoral rays simple. — Vegetable feeders. 



c. Sarg^a. Trenchant teeth in front and molar teeth on the sides. 



— Mostly carnivorous. 



d. Pagrina. Conical teeth in front and molars on the sides. — Car- 



Mvoroua. 



e. Pimelepteriua. Trenchant teeth in front ; teeth dh the palate. — 



Carnivorous ? 



[Appendix: Bobibia.] 



First Group. CANTHARINA. 



Sparidce with more or less broad, trenchant teeth in front of the 

 jaws ; no molars or vomerine teeth ; the lower pectoral rays branched. 



* Some species of Leihrinus appear to make an exception, but th6ir teeth are 

 ..hick, and approach to molars ; they are, moreover, readily distinguished by their 

 naked cheek. 



