Classification oj the Percoid Fishes. 115 



first 1 or 5 riba sessile, inserted below and behind the para- 

 pophyses; last 3 or 4 on the parapophyses. 



In the structure of the vertebral column and the attach- 

 ment of the ribs Kuhlia shows far more resemblance to 

 M or one than to the Centrarchidie. Other characters con- 

 firm its relationship to M or one, and make it probable that it 

 is derived from Serranidse of the type of that genus. 



Fam. 5. Centrarchidae. 



After the removal of Kuhlia this is a very natural and 

 well-defined family, closely related to the Serranidse, but 

 distinguished by the vestigial or absent pseudobranclme, 

 the absence of a subocular shelf, and the different attach- 

 ment of the ribs. Vertebra 25 to 33; prsecaudals with 

 transverse processes from the third or fourth ; ribs mostlv 

 sessile, inserted high up on the centra or on the bases of the 

 neural arches, above and behind the parapophyses. 



Fam. 6. Priacanthidae. 



Differ from the Serranidse especially in the reduced 

 number of vertebrae, 23 00+13), the first very short and 

 firmly adherent to the skull, the absence of a basisphenoid, 

 and the single postcleithrum. Caudal with 1G principal 

 rays, 14 branched. 



Fam. 7. Chilodipteridae. 



This family includes fishes with the general characters of 

 the Serranidse, but with only 2 anal spines. A separate 

 spinous dorsal of 5 to 9 spines. Jaws with \ illiform teeth, 

 sometimes with canines : teeth on vomer and palatines. An 

 occipital crest : parietal crests feeble or absent. Vertebrae 

 2 1 to 27 (10—1 1 -I- 1 4—17) ; praeeaudals with parapophvses 

 from the fifth or sixth : first 3 or 4 ribs sessile. 



Principal genera : Apogon, Apogonichihys, Chilodipterus, 

 E j '/(/onus, Synagrops {Parascomhrops, Melanostoma) , Dino- 

 lestes. 



A subocular shelf is present in Chilodipterus and many 

 species of Apogon, but not in Apogon maximus or in Epi- 

 gonuS] Synagrops. which is the nearest to Dinolestes in the 

 dentition, the scaly fins, kc, has a rather feeble shelf, but 

 Dinolestes has none. 



A good account of the osteologv of Dinolestes has been 

 given by Starks (Proc. U.S. Xat. Mas. xxii. 1899, pp. 113- 

 120, pis. viii.-xi.). 



