319 

 Order of Spiny-finned Fishes. 



xlCANTHOPTEKYGII.* 



In the Sioiny -finned fishes, the first fin-rays of the 

 back are always bony and spinous. When there are 

 two dorsal fins, these spiny rays only exist in the 

 front one, and when there is but one, they sustain at 

 least its anterior portion, or sometimes are entirely 

 free and separate. Generally there is also a bony 

 ray to each ventral fin, and frequently the anal fin 

 has some of its front rays spinous. 



This order may be divided into several families, 

 the most remarkable of which are the Perclies, the 

 Mullets, the Gurnards, the Lahijrinthiform Pharyn- 

 geals, and the Mackerels. 



The family of Perches (Percoids,-\ or fishes that re- 

 semble the Perch ia their general structure) comprehends 

 such as have an oblong, more or less, compressed body, 

 covered with scales which are generally hard. The 

 mouth is large, and armed with teeth upon all the promi- 

 nent parts of its interior, and the gill-cover {operculum) is 

 dentate or spiny on its edge ; the fins are always seven or 

 eight in number. In general, they are adorned with beau- 

 tiful colours, and their flesh is very agreeable food. 



The Perches (Perca) are distinguished by tlieir smooth tongue, 

 and by the spines on their opercula. They inhabit fresh water. 

 The common perch is found throughout Europe, and a great 

 part of Asia. It inhabits lakes, rivers, and running streams, ami 

 ordinarily swims at a depth of two or three feet. Perches feed on 

 worms, insects, and small fishes. They spawn in the month of 

 April, and their eggs are joined together by a viscid matter in long 

 cords, found interlaced among reeds, &c. 



* uKavOa, acantha, a thorn or spine; impvyioi/, -piexy glow, a fin — 

 having fins witli spinous or thorn-like rays, 



t The families of fishes are frequently designated by adding the 

 syllable o/cZ— derived from the Greek word d'Bos ''eidos), form— io 

 tiie name of tlie typical species. Tlius, Percoicl means like the 

 Perch ; Gadoid, like the Cod ; Scomheroid, like the Mackerel. &c. 

 In the same way, the Greek patronymic idoe is frequently employed : 

 thus we say, Perca, the Perch ; 'Percif.8e, the family of Perches ; 

 Gadus, the Cod; Gadidse, tlie family of Cod-fishes; Scomber, the 

 Macherel ; Scomberidse, the family of the Mackerels. In the follow 

 ing pages both these forms are used indiscriminately. 



