219 



of mouth horizontal, wide, bordered by the intermaxillaries 

 which are not protractile, behind which are situated the broad 

 maxillaries, with a supplemental bone. Lower jaw considerably 

 projecting. Teeth large, unequal, fang-like, implanted in sockets, 

 in both jaws and on palatines, none on vomer. First dorsal 

 with 5 strong spines above ventrals, which are before middle 

 of body. Second dorsal far behind first, similar to anal and 

 opposite to it. Caudal forked. Pectorals short, placed rather low. 

 Pelvic bones not connected with the pectoral arch. Third and 

 fourth superior pharyngeals separate as also lower pharyngeals. 

 Gillopenings wide. Gillmembranes not united, free from isthmus. 

 Branchiostegals seven. Gillrakers very short or obsolete. Verte- 

 brae 24. 



Carnivorous, very rapacious and active pike-like fishes, often 

 of large size and therefore dreaded by fishermen, living in 

 tropical and subtropical seas, often near mouth of rivers. 



By sailors known as Barracuda. 



I. Sphyraena Bloch, Schneider. 



(Bloch, Schneider, Systema Ichthyol. 1801, p. 109). 



Body much elongate, somewhat compressed. Snout long, 

 pointed. Mouth large. Strong teeth in both jaws and on pala- 

 tines, some of them canines. Two dorsals, the first spinous, 

 consisting of 5 rays, the second one with one or two flexible 

 spines in front and 8 or 9 divided rays. The two dorsals at 



JST'/T 



Fig. 60. Sp/iyracfia jcllo C.V. ca '/lo- 



a considerable distance from each other. Origin of anal oppo- 

 site to or behind origin of second dorsal. Anal consisting of one 

 or two flexible spines and 7 — 9 divided rays. Origin of pec- 

 torals before that of first dorsal ; origin of ventrals before, 

 below or behind origin of first dorsal. Caudal forked. Scales 

 moderate or small. Gillopenings wide. Gillmembranes free from 

 isthmus and from each other. 



Distribution: Warm parts of Atlantic, Indie and Pacific, 

 Mediterranean and Red Sea, 



