177 



types, but thpsc are all vow eliavacteristic and (luilo rich in sjieeios; tlio families have 

 been named Sphyra'nida', Athevinidae, and Mugilidoe. 



In all tropical and sub-tropical waters are found fishes of an elongated jiike-like 

 form, with tlie head compressed, conical, and pointed in front, the mouth well fissured 

 and armed with strong teeth ; two dorsal fins quite separated from each other, the 

 first armed with five or six spines, and the hinder provided with one spine and nine or 

 ten rays ; the anal opposite the second dorsal, and like it in form and extent ; the 



ventrals not far behind the breast, and the vertebra' developed in normal number. 

 The family so distinguished is named Spiiyr.enid^. The fishes of this type, although 

 more especially abundant in the equatorial and warmer seas, are represented by wan- 

 derers northward and southward. About twenty sjiecies are known, four of which 

 visit the coast of the United States; of these, three wander more or less north- 

 ward along the eastern coast, and one occurs on the western coast. The most general 

 name along the American coast is barracuda, and this is applied U> all the species both 

 east and west. 

 VOL. ni. — 12 



