XXII PERCESOCES 637 
Ribs mostly sessile; lower pharyngeal bones distinct ; pectoral fins nearer 
the ventral than the dorsal line : . 2. Ammodytidae. 
II. Ventral fins, if present, more or less approximated to the pectorals. 
A. Two well- -developed dorsal fins, the anterior small and formed, 
at least in part, of spinous rays. 
1. Ribs attached to strong parapophyses. 
Pelvic bones free or connected with the clavicles by ligament; pectoral fins 
inserted high up. ' : 3, Atherinidae. 
Pelvic bones suspended from the postelav icles; pectoral fins inserted very 
high up; teeth very feeble or absent E . 4. Mugilidae. 
Pelvic bones suspended from the gai pectoral fins low down, 
with detached lower rays . : ; . 5. Polynemidae. 
Pelvic bones connected with the clavicles by ligament ; pectoral fins nearer 
the ventral than the dorsal line; dentition powerful, cardiform ; scales 
minute or absent ; ; : . 6. Chiasmodontidae. 
2. Anterior ribs seseile: Paige bones not connected with the 
as scapular arch ; ee oral fins nearer the ventral than the 
dorsal line : . 7. Sphyraenidae. 
B. Spinous dorsal, if present, connected with the soft. 
1. Anterior vertebrae without parapophyses ; scales on head, if 
present, small. 
Oesophagus with lateral sacs which are beset with papillae internally ; 
spinous dorsal long ; scales eae in oblique transverse series ; pelvic 
bones free. d : . 8. Tetragonuridae. 
Oesophagus with lateral sacs w hich are beset with toothed papillae internally ; 
spinous dorsal, if distinct, shorter than the soft dorsal ; scales moderate or 
small, cycloid, often deciduous. : : . 9. Stromatedae. 
No sacs in the oesophagus ; fins without spines ; scales very small or absent 
10. Icosteidae. 
2. All, or all but the anterior two vertebrae with parapophyses ; 
scales on head large ; a superbranchial cavity. 
No spines to the fins : : . Ll. Ophiocephalidae. 
Bitons spines to the dorsal, el aml ventral fins 12. Anabantidae. 
Fam. 1. Scombresocidae.—Maxillary entering the border 
of the upper jaw; dentition moderately strong or feeble. . Lower 
pharyngeal bones united. Praecaudal vertebrae with strong 
parapophyses supporting the ribs. Body covered with eycloid 
scales. Pectoral fins inserted very high up; ventral fins widely 
separated from the pectorals, without spines, with 6 rays. Dorsal 
fin opposed to the anal, and likewise formed entirely of soft rays. 
Air-bladder generally present, sometimes cellular. 
The shape of the head and body vary greatly, and the pectoral 
fin may reach an extraordinary wing-like development. The 
dorsal fin may be followed by a series of finlets, as in many of 
the Scombridae. Most of the Scombresocidae, of which about 
200 species are known, are marine; some are carnivorous, 
