Fishes of the Family Stroraatcida3. 117 



Pfienes, BatJ/T/serioIa, and Seriolella, all of nhicli liave a 

 toothed oesophagus exactly similar to that of a CentroJophus. 



The genus Apolectus (Stromateus niger, Bl.), on the other 

 hand, must be removed from this family^ as it lacks oesopha- 

 geal teethj and should be placed in the Carangidse. It can 

 only be se])arated from those species of Caranx with a re- 

 duced spinous dorsal and feeble dentition by the disappearance 

 of the ventrals in the adult fish. The pectoral is long and 

 falcate and the lateral line keeled and shielded posteriorly, 

 exactly as in Caranx. The ventrals are not jugular, and the 

 young possess two free anal spines and three or four short 

 dorsal spines, which become overgrown with age. 

 The Stromateidje may be thus defined : — 

 No bony stay for the prajopercle. Pectoral ptcrygials 

 rcgulaily hourglass-shaped, the first in contact with the cora- 

 coid. Scapula with a median foramen. Second suborbital 

 usually with an internal subocular lamina. Entopterygoid 

 present. Palatine arch attached to parethmoid and pre- 

 ethmoid cornua. A greater or less number of sessile ribs 

 anteriorly, posterior ribs inserted on the transverse pro- 

 cesses where these unite to form a closed haemal arch. Trans- 

 verse processes directed downwards, epipleural bones variously 

 attached. Two nostrils' on each side. Gill-membranes free 

 from the isthmus (except in Stromateoides) , Pseudobranchiaj 

 present, often rudimentary. Five to seven branchiostegals. 

 Gills four, a slit behind the fourth. (Esophagus with lateral 

 sacs, which are toothed internally. Lower pharyngeals not 

 united. Dorsal fin long, with a more or less distinct spinous 

 portion. Anal with 3 or more spines, long, sometimes as 

 long as the soft dorsal. Ventrals, when present, below or 

 somewhat behind the pectorals, I 5, attached to the abdo- 

 men by membrane, depressible in a more or less well-marked 

 groove or furrow. Pelvic bones attached, but not firmly 

 united, to the pectoral arch. 



The skeleton is never strongly ossified. The opercular 

 bones are thin, the operculum ending in two flat points, the 

 other opercuhnr bones denticulated or entire. Mouth small 

 or moderate, jaws generally weak, with a trenchant edge, 

 having a single series of small, slender, pointed teeth. Palate 

 and tongue rarely toothed. The shape of the body varies 

 from elongate to deeply ovate. The nostrils arc usually nearer 

 the eud of the snout tiian the orbit. 



The scales are small or of moderate size, extending on to 

 the vertical fins, generally thin, deciduous, and cycloid. When 

 not deciduous the scales are often pierced by small pores; 

 usually the naked body is covered by pores, which are often 

 minute, sometimes conspicuous. The skull has well-deve- 



