Classification of the Percoid Fishes. 119 



the enlarged first pair of ribs articulate with tl.e post- 

 cleithra, are sessile on the third vertebra, and are supported 

 by the strong parapophyses of the fourth and fifth vertebrae ; 

 the other ribs are inserted on parapophyses. 



Fain. 18. Bramidae. 



Dorsal and anal fins long, without true spines, but with a 

 few of the anterior graduated rays non-articulated ; caudal 

 fin as in the Carangidae; scales large. Skull with parallel 

 occipital and parietal crests extending to the anterior edge 

 of the froutals as in typical Carangidae, but the former very 

 high and with the edge nearly vertical anteriorly ; meseth- 

 moid hollowed out for the vertical priemaxillary pedicels ; 

 no subocular shelf. Vertebrae 42 to 47 ; most of the ribs at 

 the extremities of closed haemal arches. 



Some species of Seriola approximate very closely to Brama 

 in cranial structure. 



Fam. 19. Coryphaenidae. 



Differ from the Bramidae in the small scales and in the 

 structure of the vertebral column ; 30 to 33 vertebrae, the 

 praecaudals without parapophyses, the ribs and epiplcurals 

 inserted together on the centra. 



Fam. 20. Ceutropomidae. 



Closely related to the Serranidae and Lutianidae. Spinous 

 and soft portions of the dorsal separate or united, subequal, 

 the former of 7 to 9 strong spines ; anal as long as or a little 

 shorter than soft dorsal, with 3 spines; pelvic with a scaly 

 axillary process. Mouth moderately protractile; teeth acute 

 or obtuse, in jaws and on vomer and palatines ; maxillary 

 exposed. Subocular shelf broadest posteriorly. Lateral 

 line extending on caudal fin. Vertebrae 24 or 25 

 (10—12 + 13-15) ; anterior praecaudals without parapophyses ; 

 first 3 to 5 ribs sessile. 



The genera may be arranged thus : — 



I. Parietal and occipital crests; operculum ending in a spine; a 



siiprumaxillary ; a continuous dorsal tin; 26 vertebras. 



Gtaucosoma, Psammoperca, Ijatet. 



II. An occipital, but no parietal crest* ; frontala with strongly devel 



(nuciferous channels; operculum without spine; praeopurculum 



with a double ridge ; 24 vertebra-. 

 A. Dorsals separate ; a supramazillary .... Centtopomtu. 

 15. I 1 reals connected ; no supramaxillarj .. Ambassie, 



