Classification of the Percoid Fishes. 129 



the ribs inserted on the parapophyses. There is no supra- 

 maxillary and the external bones of the head are rugose, 

 uncovered by skin. 



Jordan (Proc. U.S. Nat. Mns. xxxii. 1907, p. 235) details 

 the external characters of the family and gives a synopsis of 

 the genera. I have examined the skeleton in Histiopterus 

 and Pentaceropsis. 



Fam. 45. Pvistolepidae. 



Month small, moderately protractile, the praemaxillary 

 pedicels not reaching the frontals. Jaws formed as in the 

 Lutianidae, with villiforra teeth ; teeth on vomer, palatines, 

 and parasphenoid. Pseudobranchiae absent ; gill-membranes 



united. Spinous dorsal well developed ; 3 anal spines ; 

 caudal of 14 principal rays, 12 branched. Lateral line 

 interrupted. Vertebrae 25 or 26 (13-14+12); prsecaudals 

 with parapophyses from the third or fourth ; ribs sessile, 

 inserted above and behind the parapophyses. 



This family includes two genera only, Pristolepis, Jerd., 

 and Badis, Blcek. Both have a well-developed meso- 

 pterygoid, which in Pristolepis bears a patch of conical 

 teeth. In Pristolepis the parasphenoid teeth are obtuse, 

 rounded molars ; they form a large patch in the roof of the 

 month which is opposed to a similar group of teeth on 

 the tongue; the first 3 suborbitals give rise to a rather broad 

 subocular shelf, the supraoccipital and parietal crests are 

 strong and the pelvic fin has a scaly axillary process. In 

 Badis the parasphenoid teeth arc conical and form a small 

 group, which is placed posteriorly ; the suborbitals are not 

 ossified and there is no subocular shelf; the skull is smooth 

 and rounded above, the occipital crest does not extend 

 forward on to the frontals, parietal crests arc not developed, 

 and the pelvic fin has uo scaly axillary process. 



Fam. 46. Nandidae. 



Mouth large, very protractile, the praemaxillary pedicels 

 long, lying in a hollow formed by the bifurcation of the 

 occipital crest ; distal extremity of praemaxillary ramus 

 articulated to outer lace of maxillary : maxillary exposed : 

 no Bupramaxillary. Villiform teeth in the jaws and on 

 vomer and palatines. Pseudobranchiae absent; gill- mem- 

 branes not united. Spinous dorsal well developed ; anal 

 spines ."» in- 1 ; caudal of 14 or l(i principal rays, 12 or 1 L 

 branched : pelvic fin without scaly axillary process. Lateral 



Ann. & Mag. X. Hist. Ser. S. Vol, xii. v 



