MYRIPRISTIS, &C. 167 



other, and the first spine is often very much 

 elongated. They are used as food, and in many 

 places esteemed ; they are found in the Indian, 

 African, and New Holland Seas. 



Myripristis so named from having all the 

 opercular bones and those of the cheeks minutely 

 serrated, which distinguishes it from any we have 

 yet seen. The dorsal fins may be said to be 

 attached, though, in some instances, the first 

 finishes and the second commences without any 

 membrane appearing between them ; the scales 

 are all minutely dentated on the edges. The 

 genus is most extensively distributed. In these 

 fish, also, the ear is of a peculiar construction, 

 there being a large oval opening, which is only 

 closed by a membrane ; into it the lateral lobe of 

 the swimming bladder is fixed, which, with some 

 similar structures, has given rise to the opinion, 

 that this organ and those of hearing have rela- 

 tions which influence the latter. Several species 

 are known. 



Holocentrum closely allied to the preceding, 

 but furnished with a very strong spine at the 

 angle of the opercle ; the dorsal fins united ; the 

 third spine of the anal fin is remarkably strong ; 

 the swimming bladder is simple. The species 

 are numerous, having a varied distribution, and 



