442 FISHES. 



occur, as Zanclus, Platax, Caranx {Carangopsis), Argyriosus 

 ( Vomer), LicMa, Trachynotus. Of the extinct genera the fol- 

 lowing belong to this family : — Pseudovomer (Licata), Amphis- 

 tiion, Archccus, Dnctor, Plioncinus (?), and Semio2)horus. Equula 

 has been recently discovered in the Miocene marls of Licata 

 in Sicily. 



Caranx (inckiding Trachurus). — Body more or less compressed, 

 sometimes sub-cylindrical. Cleft of the mouth of moderate width. 

 The first dorsal fin continuous, with about eight feeble spines, 

 sometimes rudimentary ; the soft dorsal and anal are succeeded 

 by finlets in a few species. Two anal spines, somewhat remote 



Fig. 196. — Plates of the lateral line of Caranx hippos. 



from the fin. Scales very small. Lateral line with an anterior 

 curved, and a posterior straight, portion, either entirely or pos- 

 teriorly only covered by large plate-like scales, several of which 

 are generally keeled, the keel ending in a spine. Dentition feeble. 

 Air-bladder forked posteriorly. 



The "Horse-mackerels" are found in abundance in almost 

 all temperate and, especially, tropical seas. Many species 

 wander to other parts of the coast, or to some distance from 

 land, and have thus gradually extended their range over two 

 or more oceanic areas ; some are found in all tropical seas. 

 The species described are very numerous, about ninety 

 having been properly characterised and distinguished. Some 

 attain to a length of three feet and more, and all are eatable. 

 They feed on other fish and various marine animals. 



Of the most noteworthy species the following may be 

 mentioned: — C. trachurus, the common British Horse-mackerel, 

 distinguished by having the lateral line in its whole length 

 armed with large vertical plates ; it is almost cosmopolitan 

 within the temperate And tropical zones of the northern and 



