ACANTHOPTERYGII. 191) 



FAMILY VI. 



SQUAMIPENNES, 



So called, because the soft, and frequently the spinous parts of their dorsal 

 and anal fins are covered with scales, which encrust them, as it were, and 

 render it difficult to distinguish them from the mass of the body. This is the 

 most remarkable character of these fishes, the body of which is generally much 

 compressed, and the intestines long. They were comprised by Linnaeus in 

 the genus 



CfljETODON. 



So named from their teeth, which in length and tenuity resemble hairs, 

 collected in several close rows like a brush. Their mouth is small; their 

 dorsal and anal fins are so completely covered with scales, similar to those on 

 the back, that it is extremely difficult to ascertain where they commence. 

 These fishes are very abundant in the seas of hot climates, and are adorned 

 with the most beautiful colours, circumstances which have caused many to be 

 figured, and rendered them common in our cabinets. They frequent rocky 

 shores, and are eaten. 



This genus is now divided into various subgenera, the most remarkable of 

 which is 



CHELMON, Cuvier, 



Separated from Chsetodon on account of the extraordinary form of the snout, 

 which is long and slender, only open at the extremity, and formed by a most 

 excessive prolongation of the intermaxillary and lower jaw. Their teeth are 

 very fine and crowded, rather than like hairs. 



One species, Chcet. rostratus, Lin., has the faculty of spurting drops of water 

 on the insects it perceives on the shore, and thus bringing them within reach. 



The following genera, which we place next to Chsetodon, on account of their 

 scaly fins, differ greatly from it, however, in the teeth with which their pala- 

 tines and vomer are furnished. The genus 



BRAMA, BL Schneider. 



Is connected with this family by the scales covering the vertical fins, which 

 have but a small number of spinous rays concealed in their anterior edges ; 

 but they have slender bent teeth in the jaws and palatines, an elevated 

 profile, very short snout, a forehead descending vertically, and a mouth, when 

 shut, that is almost vertical ; the scales extend on to the maxillaries ; there 

 are seven rays in the branchiae ; a dorsal and low anal, but commencing in 

 a salient point. 



But one species is known, Sparus Rail, Bl. ; it inhabits the Mediterranean, 



