674 TELEOSTEI CHAP. 
on Labrus rupestris in an aquarium, the fish seeking a sleeping 
place at night and laying itself down to rest on one side. 
As first pointed out by Giinther, the Labridae found in 
temperate regions have a higher number (50 to 41) of vertebrae 
than those inhabiting the tropics (23 to 29), a rule which 
applies more or less to other families of Acanthopterygians. 
Remains of Labrus and Julis occur in the Eocene and Miocene 
of Europe. An allied fossil genus, Labrodon, is represented by 
numerous species in Tertiary beds of Europe and North America. 
Phyllodus, Egertonva, Platylaemus, and Pseudosphaerodon, from 
the Eocene and Miocene, are referred, with doubt, to this family. 
Fam. 36. Scaridae.—Closely allied to the preceding, with 
which they have usually been united, but differing in the more 
or less coalescent teeth, forming often a parrot-like beak, the 
lower pharyngeals united into a concave or spoon-shaped bone 
with flat, tessellated teeth ; and in the development of transverse 
processes from the first vertebra. Vertebrae 24 or 25. 
Curious, mostly brilliantly-coloured fishes of the tropical seas 
and the Mediterranean, especially abundant about coral-reefs. 
“ Parrot-Wrasses ” feed mostly on vegetable matter, corals, and 
Fia, 413.—Upper and lower pharyngeal bones of Scarus strongylocephalus. 
(After Jordan and Evermann.) 
on hard-shelled Mollusca, for crushing which their dentition is 
well adapted. The largest reach a length of 4 feet. Some are 
much valued as food, whilst others are reputed poisonous. About 
110 species are known, referable to 8 genera: Cryptotomus 
(Calliodon), Calotomus, Sparisoma, Scarus, Pseudoscarus, Odaz, 
Coridodax, Siphonognathus. The latter is very aberrant in shape, 
the head and body resembling those of a Pipe-Fish. 
Scarus is reported from the Eocene and Miocene of Europe. 
