Classification of the Percoid Fishes. 113 



1 division 1. Perciformes. 



Spinous dorsal fin usually well developed. Pd\ic fins 

 usually thoracic, of a spine and 4 or 5 Boft rays ; pelvic 

 bones directly attached to eleithra Mouth typically pro- 

 tractile*, the praemaxillaries with more or less developed 

 pedicels, and nearly always free Prom the mamillaries. Hyo- 

 palatine and opercular series of hones all present. Lower 

 pharyngeals not ankylosed. Parietals present, separated by 

 supraoccipital ; opisthotic well developed : a basis phenoid 

 usually present. Post-temporal forked; pectoral radials 

 hourglass-shaped, four in number, the lowest and sometinies 

 part of the next on the hypocoracoid. 



In the following arrangement a few of the more aberrant 

 families are placed last, and the remainder are grouped into 

 those without (Serranidae to Coryphaenidae) and those with 

 a scaly process in the axil of the pelvic fins. 



Fam. 1. Serranidae. 



Spinous dorsal usually well developed; anal spines usually 

 3; caudal usually with 17 principal rays, 15 branched (15, 

 13 branched, in Ant Idas) ; pel vies thoracic, each of a spine 

 and 5 branched rays, without axillary process. Two nostrils 

 on each side. Gill-membraues free from the isthmus ; 5 to 

 8 branchiostegals ; 4 gills; pseudo branchiae usually present. 

 Mouth protractile; villiform or cardiform teeth in the jaws 

 and usually on the palate ; each prsemaxillary ramus with a 

 posterior process or expansion internal to the maxillary ; 

 latter broadest distally, usually exposed, rarely sheathed 

 by the praeorbital. A subocular shelf. Two postcleithra 

 on each side. Vertebrae 24 or more ; first 2 or more 

 praecaudals without parapophyses ; some or all of the ribs 

 inserted on parapophyses. 



It may he noted that in Callanthias and Therapon all the 

 ribs are inserted on parapophyses*, and that those of the 

 genus Morone are rather exceptional in their insertion. In 

 this genus the vertebrae number 25, the praecaudals with 

 parapophyses from the third or fourth ; of the 10 pairs of 

 ribs the last 3 to 5 (according to the species) are distinctly 

 inserted on the parapophyses, but it is rather a matter of 

 personal opinion as to how many of the remainder are 

 scsmIc; they may be described cither as inserted on the 

 centra below and behind the parapophyses, or as on the 



* Thus forming an pxception to the statement made on p. 668 of the 

 'Cambridge Natural History, Fishes.' 



Ann, (1: Mag. N. Hist. !Ser. 8. Vol. xii. .s 



