53 



In addition to the usiul villifonn teeth of the Perooid fiunily, then are two Mixing laniari- 

 fann tcrth in tin- upper jaw and four iii the lower jaw, two near the symphysis, and two half- 

 way batwHB the syrophyais and the angle of the jaw. The preoperculum i* minutely deii- 

 Uted at it* angle, and the opcrculuni U produced posteriorly into three itrong spine*. 



Sttmteritm. 



198. The premaiulibular bones of a Sea-perch (Serrama, Cuv.). 



Betides the tenet at rilliform teeth common to most Percoids, it hai two large laniariform 

 teeth at the symphytis, and fire or fix at the middle of the alveolar series, of different length*. 



//iinferia*. 



I'.i I The dried head of a small Percoid fish: showing the premaxillary, prcmandi- 

 bular, vomerine, palatal and pluuyngcal teeth : some are laniarifbrm, most an- 

 villiform, but all are small. Both preoperrular and supratemporal bones have 

 a finely dentated free border. Htmterian. 



195. The skull of the Barracuda Pike-perch (Sphyrttna Barracuda) ; with the dried 



integuments remaining on the left side. 



The premaxillary bones support two strong, compressed lancet-shaped teeth at their ante- 

 rior ends, and a single row of smaller but similarly shaped teeth along the rest of their alveo- 

 lar borders. The lancet-shaped teeth of the lower jaw arc much larger : those on the pala- 

 tine bones are the largest of the serial teeth : there is one tusk at the symphysis of the lower 

 jaw of corresponding sue with those above, and the summit of a second is appearing through 

 the alreolus. 



Amongst the peculiarities worthy of note in this skull, are the columnar process of the ali- 

 sphenoid. which props up the posUrootal articulation for the epitympanic ; the well-marked 

 dentated suture of the pterygoid with the hypotympanic ; the superior strength and degree 

 of ossification of the pterygoid, as contrasted with the thin lameUiform entopterygoid, indi- 

 cating the more constant and important character of the pterygoid. The ossicle articulated 

 with the upper margin of the hinder end of the maxillary has a short obtuse angular process 

 at its upper part, which bends inwards, and it resembles a rudimental ectopterygoid. The 

 tendinous attachments of the great lateral muscles to the paroccipitals have become ossified, 

 like the bone-tendons of the vertebral muscles of the MotcAiu, and those in the legs of Galli- 

 naceous birds. 



lluiitfriau. 



196. The skull, wanting the scapular arch, of the Mediterranean Pike-perch (Sphy- 



rena vulgarit, Cuv.). 



The occipital spine projects simply backwards, and does not encroach upon the upper sur- 

 face of the skull. The serial teeth of the premaiillaries are more minute and numerous than 



