64 



HIGH SCHOOL ZOOLOGY. 



Fig. 31.— Syngnathus (Pipe-Fish) and Hippocampus (Sea-Horse). 

 (After Brehm). 



Fi". 32. — Tvv'o-spined Stickleback. Gasterosteus acvleatus. 

 (U. S. F. C.) 



17. The most characteristic group of Acanthopteri in our 

 region is that of the Suiifishes, Centrarchidse, as a type of which 

 family the common Rock Bass, Amhloplites ruijestris (Fig. 33), 

 may be examined. It shares the short compressed body of the 

 rest of the family, the mouth is large and well provided with 

 teeth, for all are carnivorous and voracious forms. The preop- 

 ercle is serrated, the opercle ends in two flat points. The dorsal ' 

 fins are confluent, there being eleven hard rays in front and 



