XXIII ACANTHOPTERYGII 695 
9 
on the scapula and on 3 or 4 large, hour-glass or, anvil-shaped 
pterygials, two of which are in contact with the coracoid. 
Ventral fins close together, with 1 spine and 3 to 5 soft rays. 
Spinous dorsal strong, usually longer than the soft, sometimes 
extending on the head; anal usually with 3 spines. Body 
covered with scales or naked. 
A large family of carnivorous marine fishes, some descending 
to great depths, of nearly world-wide distribution, represented by 
three extinct genera (Ampheristus, Histiocephalus, Scorpaenoides) 
in the Eocene and by several species of Scorpaena in later forma- 
tions. About 250 recent species are known. Principal genera: 
Sebastes, Setarches, Scorpaena, Pterois, Apistus, Minous, Pelor, 
Choridactylus, Centropogon, Gymnapistus, Amblyapistus, Pen- 
tavoge, Tetraroge, Gnathacanthus (Holoxenus), Agriopus, Synancia, 
Polycaulus. 
Fic. 424.—Scorpaena grandicornis. (After Valenciennes.) x 4. 
Great variety of form obtains in this family, from the Perch-like 
Sebastes to the extraordinary-shaped TJ'etraroge, Pelor, and Synancia. 
Many of its members are excellent examples of mimetic adapta- 
tion to the surrounding, resembling the rocks among which they 
live and being covered with dermal appendages simulating weeds. 
An interesting example of commensalism has been discovered by 
A. Aleock! in Minous inermis, off the coasts of India, which, 
wherever found, is always more or less incrusted with the Gymno- 
1 Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (6), x. 1892, p. 212, and Zool. Gleanings Investigator, 
1901, p. 41. : 
