KEY TO THE FAMILIES. 



[Adapted to the New Zealand Genera. ] 



I. Gills free, with one opening on each side ; caudal sj-nmietrical, or absent. 



A. Gills comb-like ; part of the anal and ventral fins spiuose ; body scaly or smooth, t 



a. No adhesive disc between the ventrals. 



* Ventrals Thoracic. 



+ Spinous dorsal greater than the soft. 



1. Two dorsal fins. 



Xiphiid. Upper jaw greatly produced ... ... p. 14 



2. One dorsal tin. 



ScorjjmiUke {^a,Tt). Scales none, or minute, dentition feeble ... p. 9 



TricMuridce. Strong teeth in the jaws ... ... p. 12 



LabridcB (part). Edge of the jaw sharp, but no teeth ... p. 42 

 + + Spinous dorsal equal to the soft. 



1. Two dorsal tins. 



MuUidcB. Barbels on the mouth ... ... ... p. 4 



2. One dorsal fin. 



Percidce (^art). Teeth small, some on the palatine bones ... p. 1 



Pristipomatidoi. Palatine bones toothless ... ... p. 3 



Squamipinnes. Body elevated ; fins scaly ... ... p. 3 



Sparidoe. Trenchant teeth in the jaws ... ... p. 5 



CirrhitklcB. Lower pectoral rays not branched ... ... p. 6 



Scoipinidte (Tpa,rt). Head armed ... ... ... p. 9 



PomacentrideB. Lateral line interrupted ... ... p. 4) 



+ + t Spinous dorsal less than the soft. 



1. Two dorsal fins. 



Scomber IdcB. Finlets ; ventrals moderate ... ... p. 21 



NomeklcB (part). Finlets ; ventrals long ... ... p. 20 



Carangidce. No finlets ; lateral line often armed ... p. 15 



Gobiidce. A papilla near the vent ... ... p. 28 



2. One dorsal fin, 



PercW<E (part). Ventrals 1/5 ; caudal forked ... ... p. 1 



BerycidcB. Ventrals with more than five soft rays ... p. 12 



AcronuridcB. Spines on each side of the tail ... ... p. 15 



CyttidcB. Body elevated ; caudal rounded ... ... p. 18 



Nomeidce (T^axt). First dorsal very low ... ... p. 20 



Cottidee. Three free pectoral rays ; head cuirassed ... p. 27 



TrachypterklcB. No caudal fin ... ... ... p. 34 



Lahrklce (-^axt). A posterior canine tooth ... .. p. 42 



\ " Saccarius " is covered with small spines. 



