Classification of the Order Sderoparei. 



175 



(fin;. 2, A), and, in corrclaM'on with tlic form of tlift snout, flie 

 |ir;ei)i bital is displiiceil forward and llie first .--uboi Intal down- 

 ward, so (liat tliti si'cond is aftaclied to the lateial ethmoid 

 (fig. 1, B). Of the 8oorpaeiiids the genus Apistus especially 



Fig. 1. 



Praeorbital (;;;•) and suborbitals (1, 2, 3, 4) of A. Dactyloptena orientalis, 

 B. rteryyotriyla pobjummata, C. Platycephalus insidiator. 



approaclies the Tiiglidse in the separation of the pelvic fins, 

 the detachment of the lowest pectoral ray, the great defith of 

 the second suborbital, the development of the upper limb of 

 the post-temporal as a flat triangular plate, and the reduction 

 of the foramina between the pectoral radials. 



Vertebraj in Prionotus 25 or 26, PterygotrigJa 26, Lepido- 

 irigla 29 or 30, Trigla 32 to 39, Peristedion 33. 



Family 3. CaracantMdaB. 



Caracanthus differs externally from the Scorpasnidse in the 

 restricted gill-openings, shorter spinous dorsal and very 

 small pelvic fins; the skeleton is typically Scorpgenid, except 

 for the absence of ribs; the vertebiae number 24. 



Family i. Aploactidae. 



Aploactis milesii has the osteological characters of the 

 Scorpseuidse, except that the skull is more depressed and ribs 

 are absent; it has 31 vertebiaj (13+15). 



Family 5. SynanciidaB. 

 This family is closely related to the preceding. The 



