GREGORY: FISH SKULLS 



259 



the parasphenoid, while the lateral processes of the fused lower pharyngeals fit into grooves 

 on the inner side of the cleithra. In each plate the unused teeth lie deep in the alveolar 

 region, ready to come up into use when needed. 



The otoliths of the Scaridae conform to the labrid type, but are more specialized (Frost 

 1928a, p. 453). 



Cirrhitids. — The family Cirrhitidse (Haplodactylidae) is regarded by Boulenger (1910, 

 p. 664) as a derivative of the Serranidae. Tate Regan (191 Ig, p. 261) however refers this 

 family to the division Cirrhitiformes of the order Percomorphi. It may well be near to the 

 base of the trachinoid series, as suggested by Jordan (1923, p. 203). Possibly it may even 



PsBudoscanis guacamaia 



Fig. 133. Pseudoscarus. 



be related on the one hand to the stem of the wrasses and on the other hand to such 

 primitive trachinoids as Pinguipes (p. 356). The skull characters noted by Regan as 

 characteristic of the group are as a whole close to the normal percoid type. The skull of 

 Cirrhitus (Fig. 135) is a stoutly built derivative of the lutianid type. The third postorbital 

 is tied securely by ligament to the upper end of the preoper'cular and of the hyomandibular 

 but it does not suggest the stout suborbital stay of the scorpaenoids, which is attached 

 further down on the preopercular. The dilatator fossa above this postorbital bar is large 

 and sharply defined. The orbits look partly upward, the opposite prefrontals are stoutly 

 braced against each other in the mid-line and are supported below by the very strong pillars 

 of the palatines. There is an extensive bony floor of the orbit formed by plates from the 

 lacrymal and third suborbital. The opercular spine is membranous and the preopercular 

 is also unarmed. The jaws recall Pinguipes and Parapercis of the trachinoid series. The 

 upper pharyngeal plates are large but bear fine teeth. The lower pharyngeals are small. 

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