BARRACUDA. 499 



Thirteen species are known, of wliicli Rh. acnleata, M. 'pancalus 

 and M. armatus are extremely common, the latter attaining 



Fig. 228. — Mastacenibelus argus, from Siam. 



to a length of two feet. Outlying sj)ecies are M. aleppcnsis 

 from Mesopotamia and Syria, and 3f. cry2)t acanthus, M. marchci, 

 and M. niger, from West Africa. 



Eleventh Division — Acanthopterygii Mugiliformes. 



Two dorsal fins more or less remote from each other ; the 

 anterior either short, like the posterior, or composed of feeble 

 spines. Veiitrcd fins with one spine and five rays, cdjdominal. 



First Family — Sphyr.en1d.f:. 



Body elongate, sid)-eylindriccd, covered with smcdl cycloid 

 scales; latercd line continuous. Cleft of the mouth wide, 

 armed with strong teeth. Eye latercd, of moderate size. 

 Vertebrce tioenty-four. 



This family consists of one genus only, Sphyrcvria, gene- 

 rally called " Barracudas," large voracious fishes from the 

 tropical and sub-tropical seas, which prefer the vicinity of the 

 coast to the open sea. They attain to a length of eight feet, 

 and a weight of forty pounds ; individuals of this large size are 

 dangerous to bathers. They are generally used as food, l;)ut 

 sometimes (especially in the West Indies) their fiesli assumes 

 poisonous qualities, from having fed on smaller poisonous 

 fishes. Seventeen species. 



The Barracudas existed in the tertiary epoch, their remains 

 being frequently found at Monte Bolca. Some other fossil 

 geiiera have been associated with them, but as they are known 

 from jaws and teeth or vertebrte only, their position in the 



