426 



TELEOSTEI 



coracoid. Spines occur in the dorsal and anal, but not in the pelvic fin, 

 which has 9 jointed lepidotrichs. 



Percopsis, A. G. ; Columbia, Eig. (Fig. 430) ; N. America. 



Division 2. 



The pelvic fins are thoracic or jugular, closely attached to the 

 pectoral girdle. The pneumatic duct may remain open in a few 

 Berycidae, Serranidae, and Sparidae, but disappears in the others. 



The Division may be classified into six Subdivisions, chiefly 

 according to the structure of the fins and girdles. 



Subdivision 1. 



The pelvic fins are thoracic. A perforate scapula and a 

 coracoid are present, only one or two of the pectoral radials being 

 articulated to the latter. Except in a few cases, there is an 

 eye-muscle canal. 



Tribe 1. Beryciformes. 



The pelvic fins are thoracic, with one spine, and usually many dermal 

 rays. The dorsal and anal fins are spiny, the teeth small, villiform. 



Fig. 431. 

 Bcryx decadactylus, C. and V. (After Gunther.) 



Family Berycidae. This the most ancient family of the Acantho- 

 pterygii persists at the present day, and is distinguished by the possession 

 of from six to thirteen soft rays on the pelvic fins. The jaws are pro- 

 tractile ; the myodome and subocular shelf of the suborbitals are present. 



