IG Mr. C. T. "Regan on the 



forming a sutural union with fiontals. Hypocoracoids sepa- 

 rate, often forming a pair of flat vertical laminae which are 

 apposed in tlie middle line; pectoral radials usually 4, com- 

 pressed and somewhat elongate, articulating with a ridge on 

 the hypercoracoid. Scales cycloid. Dorsal fin median or 

 posterior, short or of moderate length. 



( 'hiefly carnivorous fishes from tiie fresh waters of Central 

 and South America and Africa. 



The principal genera may be arranged thus : — 



I. Prseuiaxillaries fixed, firmly attached to the mesethmoid ; maxil- 

 laries usually movable, rarely adherent to praemaxillaries. 



A. Abdomen not serrated. 



1. Teeth on the palatines or pterygoids: American. 



a. Anal fin short ; no fontanel. 

 Lateral line present, running straight along 



middle of side ; teeth in jaws conical, 

 with canines ; a band of teeth on each 

 side of the palate ; hypocoracoids not in 



contact. {Erythriyiincp.) Erythrinus, Iloplias. 



Lateral line absent ; teeth in jaws rather 

 small, tricuspid; a few small teeth on 

 each side of the palate ; hypocoracoids 

 forming vertical laminaj which are ap- 

 posed in the middle line. {Lebiasinince.) Lebiasina, Piabucina. 



b. Anal fin long; lateral line more or less decurved ; hypo- 



coracoids forming median vertical laminte ; teeth in jaws 

 conical, with canines. 

 A series of conical teeth on each pterygoid ; 

 base of pectoral fin rather short. (Aces- 



trorhamphincB.) OUffosarcus, Acestrorham- 



jihus, Acestrorhynchus. 

 Minute granular teeth on pterygoid and meso- 

 pterygoid ; ba«e of pectoral fin very long. 

 (Cynodoiifincc.) Cynodon. 



2. Palate toothless ; lateral line usually decurved ; hypocoracoids 



forming median vertical laminae. 



a. Prannaxillary with a posterior toothed process lying between 



maxilhuy and pterygoid*; teeth conical, with canines: 

 African. (Sarcodacincp.) .... Sarcodaces. 



b. Praemaxillary normal. {Characina.) 



c. Mesethmoid very lai'ge Chalceus, Plethodecifs, 



Pyrrh u Una, Poyonochara.v. 



^. ^lesethmoid of moderate size. 

 Teeth usually in 2 to 4 series in the praemax- 



* In Sarcodaces, as in many Characiformes with the snout produced, 

 the pterygoids extend to the vomer below or internal to the palatines, 

 which retain their lateral ethmoid attachment. 



