116 Mr. C. T. Regan on the 



Fam. 8. Percidae. 



Especially distinguished from the Serranidse by the absence 



of a subocular shelf and by having only 1 or 2 anal spines. 

 Vertebras 30 to 48. 



In some species of Percina and FJheodoma I find the 

 principal caudal rays number 17 (1/15/1) ; in others be- 

 longing to Boleosoma and Ammocrypta there are 10(1/14/1). 

 I have not fully investigated this, but the character will 

 probably be found of some taxonomic value. 



Fam. 9. Latilidae. 



Dorsal continuous, with the spinous portion much less 

 extended than the soft or than the anal ; latter with 1 or 2 

 spines ; caudal of 17 principal rays, 15 branched ; pelvica 

 thoracic, each of a spine and 5 soft rays, without scaly 

 axillary process. Mouth terminal, protractile ; villiform 

 teeth in the jaws ; often a canine near the distal end of tlio 

 praemaxillary ; palate toothless; posterior expansions of 

 praemaxillary rami reduced ; maxillary exposed distally, 

 without supramaxillary, with a proximal posterior expansion 

 more or less developed. A subocular shelf. Gill-membranes 

 united, but free from the isthmus; branchiostegais ; 

 4 gills ; pseudobranchiae present ; lateral line complete, 

 continuous. Occipital and parietal crests present, variously 

 developed. Vertebrae 24 to 27 (10— 12 -f- 14?- 15) ; prrecaudals 

 with parapophyses from the first or third; all the ribs on 

 parapophyses. 



Fam. 10. Sillaginidae. 



Spinous dorsal separate, of slender spines, less extended 

 than the soft dorsal or anal ; liter with 2 spines. Teeth on 

 the vomer; jaws normally formed; maxillary concealed 

 beneath the expanded praeorbital. Vertebrae 33 ( 1 5 + 1 8) ; 

 praecaudals with parapophyses from the third ; all the ribs 

 on parapophyses. In all other characters essentially similar 

 to the Latilidae. 



Fam, 11. Lactariidae. 



Lactarius has the general characters of the Serranida?, but 

 there is no subocular shelf, the spinous dorsal is short, 

 separate, of slender spines, and the soft dorsal and anal are 

 long, covered with small scales. Mouth terminal, oblique, 

 with the lower jaw prominent; maxillary exposed, with 



