XXIII ACANTHOPTERYGII 673 
The family is supposed to be represented in the Upper Eocene 
and Lower Miocene of Italy by the extinct genus Odonteus. 
Fam. 35. Labridae.—No subocular shelf; entopterygoid 
present; palate toothless; anterior teeth of the jaws usually 
strong and canine-like, lateral teeth often soldered at the base; 
lower pharyngeals completely united into one bone, with conical 
or tubereular teeth. Vertebrae with transverse processes from 
the third; all the ribs attached to the transverse processes. 
Lips thick. Two nostrils on each side. Gill-membranes free 
or joined to the narrow isthmus; 5 or 6 branchiostegal rays ; 
gills three and a half; pseudobranchiae present. Dorsal fin 
elongate, with numerous, usually slender, spines. Ventral fins 
with 1 spine and 5 soft rays. 
The “ Wrasses” form a large family of mostly brilliantly 
coloured marine fishes, inhabiting all the tropical and temperate 
coasts. Their regime is partially herbivorous, partially carnivorous. 
Fic. 412.—Upper and lower pharyngeal bones of Labrus maculatus. 
About .400 species are known. Principal genera: Labrus, 
Tautoga, Malacopterus, Ctenolabrus, Chaerops, Platychaerops, 
Heterochaerops, Labrichthys, Cossyphus, Cirrhilabrus, Chailinus, 
Epibulus, Anampses, Platyglossus, Novacula, Julis, Gomphosus, 
Chilio, Coris. 
Some of the members of this family have been observed to 
build nests for the protection of their eggs and young. These 
nests, in the European Labrus, are made of seaweeds, zoophytes, 
corals, broken shells, etc., and are the work of both the male 
and the female.! It is also in this family that sleep was first 
observed in fishes, and this has been fully verified by Mobius *° 
1 Gerbe, Rev. et Mag. de Zool. xvi. 1864, p. 255. 
2 Zool. Garten, 1867, p. 148. See also Verrill, Amer. Journ. Sci. (4) iii. 1897, 
p. 136. 
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