192 PISCES. 



ORDER I. 



ACANTHOPTERYGII *. 



THE Acanthopterygii form the first and by far the most numerous division 

 of ordinary fishes. They are recognised by the spines which occupy the place 

 of the first rays of their dorsal, or which alone support the first fin of the back, 

 where there are two ; sometimes, instead of a first dorsal, there are only a few 

 free spines. The first rays of their anal are also spines, and there is generally 

 one to each ventral. 



FAMILY I. 



PERCOIDES. 



THIS family is so called because its type is the common Perch. It compre- 

 hends fishes with oblong bodies, covered with scales that are generally hard or 

 rough, and whose operculum or preoperculum, and frequently both, have 

 dentate! or spinous edges, and whose jaws, the fore part of the vomer, and 

 generally the palatine bones, are furnished with teeth. 



The species are extremely numerous, particularly in the seas of hot climates; 

 their flesh is generally wholesome and agreeable. 



In the first subdivision we find seven rays in the branchiae, two fins on the 

 back, and all the teeth small and crowded. 



PERCA, Cuvier. 



The true Perches have the preoperculum dentated; the bony operculum 

 terminated by two or three sharp points and a smooth tongue. Sometimes the 

 sub-orbital and the humeral are slightly dentated. North America produces 

 several species. 



LABRAX, Cuvier, 



Distinguished from the perches by scaly opercula terminating in two spines, 

 and by a rough tongue. 



The United States produce a large and beautiful species, Labr. lineatus, 

 Cuv. (The Rock-fish), with longitudinal blackish stripes. 



The remaining genera of this division are Lates, Centropomu<;, Grammistes, 

 Aspro, &c. &c. differing in various particulars relative to the operculum and 

 preoperculum, armature of the jaws, &c. 



A second subdivision comprises Percoides with two dorsal fins, and long and 

 pointed teeth mingled with the small and crowded ones. 



There are two genera, Ambauit, Lucio Perca or Perch-Pike. 



Spiny-fins. 



