118 FISHES. 



We are able to form a fifTli family of Acantliopterygians, 



FAMILY V. 



MENIDKS, 



The Menoid Fish, which differ from the preceding families in the ex- 

 treme extensibility and retractibility of their upper jaw, which is owing to 

 the length of the intermaxillary pedicles which withdraw between the orbits. 

 Their body is scaly, as in Sparus, in which genus they have hitherto been 

 placed. 



Mtena, Cvv. 



The Mendoles are distinguished from a true Sparus by having their 

 teeth dense as the pile on velvet, in a narrow and longitudinal band on 

 the vomer. Those also in the jaws are all extremely fine, forming a very 

 narrow band. The body is oblong, compressed, and somewhat similar to 

 that of a Herring; an elongated scale above each of the ventrals, and an- 

 other between them. Several species inhabit the Mediterranean. 



M. vulgaris; Spams mcena, h.; Bl. 270. (The Common Men- 

 dole). Back lead colour; belly silvery; a black spot on the flank 

 opposite the last spine of the dorsal. 



M.jusculum, Cuv. (The Juscle), only differs from the common one 

 in having a narrower body, a shorter muzzle, and a higher dorsal. 



M, radiata; Sparus radiatus, Osbeck; Sp. tricuspidatus, Spinola; 

 Ann. Mus. X, pi. xviii. (Osbeck's Mendole). A deep steel-blue; 

 oblique blue streaks on the cheek ; blue spots on the ventrals ; the 

 dorsal still higher. 



Smaris, C7fV. 



The Picarels do not absolutely differ from the Mendoles, except in the 

 total deficiency of teeth in the vomer; their body is generally somewhat 

 less elevated. Some of them are found in the Mediterranean. 



S. vulgaris; Sparus smaris, L. ; Le Picarel commun, Laroche, 

 Ann. Mus. XIII, pi. xxv, f. 17. (The Common Picarel). Lead- 

 grey above ; silvery beneath ; a black spot on the flank. 



S. aleedo, Riss., so called from the beautiful blue with which its 

 body is variegated. 



S. cagarella, Cuv. (The Cagarel Picarel). The body as high as 

 that of the Mcena vulgaris, from which it only differs in having no 

 palatine teeth. 



Cm'><\o, Lacep. 



Only differs from Smaris in a dorsal somewhat higher in front, and sur- 

 rounded at its base with fine scales. They inhabit the Indian Ocean, and 

 are shaped so as nearly to resemble a spindle*. 



* Casio asuror, Lacep. Ill, 86, or Vuclcnm, Valent. 132, or Canlhdre douteujc. Diet. 

 Class. d'Hist. Nat. livr. IV ; — C. smarts, Cuv., or Fackum mare, Renard, I, pi. 32, 



