250 REPORT OF NEW JERSEY STATE MUSEUM. 
second, third and fourth separate with teeth. Lower pharyngeals 
separate. Auir-vessel present, often bifurcate behind. Csophagus 
unarmed. Pyloric cceca generally numerous. Vertebre fewer 
than in Scombride, usually 10+ 14==24. Body sometimes 
naked, or more usually covered with thin small cycloid scales. 
Lateral line complete, anteriorly arched, and posterior part 
straight, sometimes armed with bony plates. Dorsal fins more 
or less separated, spinous part rather weak, and spines usually 
depressible in a groove. Anal long, similar to soft dorsal, always 
preceeded by 2 stiff spines usually separate. In young more or 
less connected with fin or with each other. ‘These sometimes dis- 
appear with age, and sometimes spinous dorsal also vanishes. 
Often a procumbent spine before dorsal. Pectoral narrow. Ven- 
trals thoracic, well developed, I, 5. Caudal widely forked. Col- 
oration chiefly metallic and silvery or golden. 
A large group of swift-swimming fishes, often with the dorsal 
fin above the surface of the water. Many are widely distributed 
and nearly all valued as food. 
Key to the genera. 
y g 
a. SERIOLINa#. Anal fin much shorter than soft dorsal, its base not longer 
than abdomen. 
b. Membrane of dorsal spines disappearing with age. NAUCRATES: 
bb. Membrane of dorsal spines persistent. SERIOLA 
aa, Anal fin about as long as soft dorsal, its base longer than abdomen. 
c. Maxillary with a supplemental bone; lateral line arched anteriorly, 
usually armed posteriorly; pectoral long, falcate. 
d. CARANGIN#. Dorsal outline more strongly curved than 
ventral outline. 
e. Lateral line with scutes. 
f. Body oblong or more or less elevated; lateral line 
with scutes on its straight posterior portion only, some- 
times very few and small, especially in those with much 
compressed body. 
g. Dorsal and anal with a detached finlet. DECAPTERUS. 
gg. No finlets. 
h. Teeth of jaws in a few series or in I series, 
unequal, or at least not forming villifornr 
bands, outer series above usually enlarged, 
lower teeth usually uniserial. CARANX 
th. Teeth of jaws equally small or wanting, form- 
ing villiform bands if present. ALECTIS: 
