422 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. vol.37. 



wanting. Ventrals thoracic, usually I, 5 (I, 4, in PJiaropteryginae) , 

 normally developed, without distinct axillary scale. Pectorals 

 well developed, with narrow base. Caudal peduncle stout, the fm 

 variously formed. Vertebrae typically 10+14 = 24, the number 

 sometimes increased, never more than 35. Air bladder present, 

 usually small, and adherent to the wall of the abdomen. Stomach 

 csecal, with few or many pyloric appendages; intestines short. Car- 

 nivorous fishes, cliiefly marine, and found in all warm seas; several 

 found in fresh waters. 



ANALYTICAL KEY OP JAPANESE GENERA OP SERRANID.E. 



a^. Anal spines 3; well developed. 



6'. Dorsal fins 2, slightly connected at base; dorsal spines 9, 11, or 12 in number, 

 never 10. 

 c^ Malakichthyin^. First dorsal with 9 spines; scales large, about 45; chin 



with a bifid tip; maxillary with a supplemental bone Malakichthys, 1. 



<?. Diploprionin.«. First dorsal with 8 spines; scales small; body deep; opercle 

 subentire; maxillary with a large supplemental bone; caudal rounded; no 



canines; tongue smooth Diploprion, 2. 



c^. Moronin^. First dorsal with 11 or 12 spines; teeth villiform, on jaws, vomer 

 and palatines; scales moderate or rather small; preopercle serrate; ventrals 

 inserted before pectorals. 

 d^. Tongue toothless; vertebrae 30 to 35. 

 eK Preopercle without spine; maxillary with supplemental bone; body 



elongate; scales moderate Lateolabrax, 3. 



e'-. Preoisercle with a strong spine at the angle; maxillary without supple- 

 mental bone; scales very small '. Niphon, 4. 



b^. Dorsal fin single, occasionally deeply divided, sometimes to the base. 

 p. Lateral line single, complete; ventral rays I, 5. 

 g^. Maxillary with a distinct supplemental bone. 

 hK Inner teeth of jaws not depressible and hinged. 

 iK Dorsal spines normally 11 or 12; dorsal deeply notched; no dis- 

 tinct canines; tongue toothless. 

 f. SiNiPERciN/E. Scales cycloid; dorsal spines 12. 



/.'. Scales large, about 45 in lateral line Bryttosus, 5. 



jr. Polyprionin^. Scales small, rough, nearly 100 in lateral 

 line; soft dorsal shorter than spinous part, of 10 to 12 rays. 

 Z'. Head not armed with spinigerous ridges; preopercle 

 moderately serrate, sometimes becoming entire with age; 

 dorsal fin deeply notched, the last spines much shorter 

 than the middle ones; scales rugose; soft dorsal scaly; 

 forehead broad, flattish; snout, preorbital and jaws 

 naked; caudal sub truncate; preopercle finely serrate, 

 becoming entire with age; gill rakers very strong; pyloric 

 caeca few (about 7); pectoral obtusely pointed; ventral 

 inserted a little before axil of pectoral; vertebrae 26, 



Stereolepis, 6. 

 ir. LioPROPOMiN^. Dorsal spines less than 10, the spinous part 

 shorter than the soft j^art, which has 12 rays; preopercle 

 weakly serrate or entire. 



m'. Head rough above; dorsal spines 9; vertebrae 24, 



Aulacocephalus, 7. 

 m^. Head smooth above; dorsal spines 8 Pikea, 8. 



