PISCES. 

 GENUS I. PERCA, Cuv. Perch. 



Ventral fins under the pectorals; two dorsals; seven bran- 

 chial rays ; all the teeth en velours (so small and close to- 

 gether as to resemble the pile of velvet) ; bony operculum 

 terminating in two or three sharp points; preeoperculum den- 

 tated ; tongue smooth. 



GENUS II. LABRAX, Cuv. 



Differ from the Perca in having scaly opercula termina- 

 ting in two spines; tongue rough. Includes the Rock Fish of 

 America. 



Another division have the ventrals placed more forward 

 than the pectorals; they are called Jugulares. The most 

 remarkable genus of which is the 



URANOSCOPUS, Lin. Star Gazers. 



Eyes placed at the upper surface of the head, and look up- 

 wards ; mouth vertical. 



The third division have the ventrals farther back than the 

 pectorals. They constitute the Abdominales. 



MULLUS. Mullet. 



Ventrals to the rear ; pelvis not suspended to the shoulder ; 

 three rays to the branchiae ; praeoperculum not dentated ; two 

 long cirri (beards) hanging from the under jaw. 



FAMILY II. ACANTHOPTERYGII, 



WITH MAILED CHEEKS. 



Aspect of the head singular, being variously bristled and 

 plated ; the suborbital bones more or less extended upon the 

 cheeks. Two remarkable genera. 



GENUS I. TRIGLA, Cuv. 



Three rays, free, and spread out under the pectoral fin, but 

 not sufficiently developed to sustain them in the air. 



GENUS II. DACTYLOPTERUS, Lacep. Flying Fish. 



Under rays of the pectoral very numerous and united by a 

 membrane, so as to form an additional pectoral longer than 



M 



