208 FISHES. 



zz. Dorsal spines 8, very low, nearly equal and 

 scarcely connected ; snout blunt. 



Stromateidce, the Harvest Fishes. 

 zzz. With neither of the preceding combinations. 

 a. No teeth on vomer. 



Pristipomatidce^ the Red Mouths. 

 aa. Teeth on vomer. 



b. Canines present; branchiostegals 7. 



SerranidK, the Sea Bass, 

 bb. No canines; branchiostegals 6; eyes 

 large. . Priacanthidiv, the Big Eyes, 

 yy. Opercular bones witli entire edges. 



c. Dorsal with nine to 20 spines; anal III, 8 or 

 more ; lips large, fleshy. 



Labridw, the Wrasse Fishes, 

 cc. Dorsal with 9 spines ; anal III, 7. 



Gerridm, the Gerroids. 



FAMILIES OF ANACANTHINI. 



* Ventrals jugular, sometimes rudimentary. 



f Caudal fin developed as a separate fin; lateral line continuous. 



Gadid^, 97. 



ft Caudal fin not separate, dorsal and anal confluent around the 

 tail. 



X Ventral fins developed, 4-rayed. Lycodidce, the Eel Pouts. 



XX Ventral fins replaced by a pair of bifid filaments. 



Ophidiidee, the Cusk Eels. 

 ** Ventral fins entirely wanting. 



a. Vent remote from the head. Ammodytidce, the Sand Launces. 



aa. Vent at the throat ; size small. Fierasferidee, the Fierasfers. 



FAMILIES OF HETEROSOMATA. 



* Pectoral fins well developed. . Plenronectidce^ the Flounders. 

 ** Pectoral fins wanting or rudimentary. . Soletdw, the Soles. 



FAMILIES OF PERCESOCES. 



* First dorsal with 5 to 7 flexible spines; bod}^ elongated; sides 



with a distinct silvery band. . . Atherinid^, 99. 



