MANUAL OF NATURAL HISTOEY. 105 



soft, and covered with the common skin ; 

 head large, depressed ; body more or less 

 lengthened, compressed ; dorsal fins three ; 

 anal two ; ventrals very small. 



II. SUB-ORDER. APODAL SPINE-LESS FISHES 



(Apodes). 



7. FAMILY. Donzelles (Ophidiidse). Body anguil- 

 liform, compressed, fins more or less fleshy ; 

 ventrals obsolete ; dorsal, caudal and anal 

 fins united ; body invested with small scales 

 in the thickness of the skin. 

 IX. ORDEK. PHARYNGEAL FISHES (Pharyngognathi). 



Endo-skeleton ossified ; exo-skeleton in some as 

 cycloid, in others as ctenoid scales ; inferior pharyn- 

 geal bones coalesced ; swimming-bladder without 

 duct. 



I. SUB-ORDER. SPINY PHARYNGEAL-FISHES 

 (Acanthopterygii). 



1. FAMILY. Ctenoid -Wrasses (Cteno - Labridse). 



Body oval ; pre-operculum mostly dentated ; 

 lateral line interrupted ; colours diversified ; 

 scales ctenoid. 



2. FAMILY. Cycloid - Wrasses (Cyclo - Labridse). 



Body oval or fusiform, scaly; colours bril- 

 liant ; lips thick, fleshy ; cutting teeth sharp, 

 simple, distinct ; those in front longest ; oper- 

 culum smooth ; pre-operculum sometimes ser- 

 rated ; lateral line abruptly bent, or totally 

 interrupted at end of dorsal fin ; scales cycloid. 



3. FAMILY. Parrot-Fishes (Scarid^e). Head and 



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