664 TELEOSTEI CHAP. 
Fam. 21. Haplodactylidae.—No subocular shelf; entoptery- 
goid present; palate usually toothless. Vertebrae with trans- 
verse processes from the third or fourth; all the ribs attached to 
the transverse processes when these are present; anterior epi- 
pleurals strong. Two nostrils on each side. Gill-membranes 
free from the isthmus; 5 or 6 branchiostegal rays; gills 4, a 
sht behind the fourth; pseudobranchiae present. Lower pharyn- 
geal bones separate. Soft portion of the dorsal fin much more 
developed than the anal. Ventral fins with 1 spine and 5 soft 
rays, inserted far back behind the pectorals, the lower rays of 
which are simple and more or less thickened. 
This family embraces the genera Haplodactylus, Chilodactylus, 
Chironemus, and Threpterius, with some 30 species from the seas of 
the Southern Hemisphere and Japan. They feed chiefly on crusta- 
ceans, molluscs, and other invertebrates living among sea-weed. 
Fam. 22. Pristipomatidae—— No subocular shelf; entoptery- 
goid present; palate toothless. Vertebrae with transverse pro- 
cesses from the third; all the ribs attached to the transverse 
processes. Two nostrils on each side. Gill-membranes free from 
isthmus; 5 to 7 branchiostegal rays; gills 4, a slit behind 
the fourth; pseudobranchiae present. Lower pharyngeal bones 
separate. Ventral fins with 1 spine and 5 soft rays. 
Pristipoma, Haemulon, Diagramma, and Pentapus, distributed 
over all. the tropical and subtropical seas, a few entering fresh 
waters. About 150 species are known. 
Fam. 23. Sparidae.—Second suborbital with an internal 
lamina supporting the globe of the eye; entopterygoid present ; 
palate usually toothless; teeth often either cutting in front, or 
molar-lke on the sides. Vertebrae with transverse processes 
from the second or third; all the ribs attached to the transverse 
processes. Two nostrils on each side. Gill-membranes free from 
isthmus; 5 to 7 branchiostegal rays; gills 4, a slit behind 
the fourth; pseudobranchiae present. Lower pharyngeal bones 
separate. Soft portion of dorsal fin not much more developed 
than the anal. Ventral fins with 1 spine and 5 soft rays. 
The Sea-Breams embrace some 200 species, distributed over 
the coasts of nearly the whole world. Some are herbivorous, but 
the majority are carnivorous. 
Principal genera: Scolopsis, Dentex, Synagris, Caesio, Maena, 
Oblata, Melambaphes, Girella, Doydiaodon, Cantharus, Bow, 
