SCORP^NOIDS. 35 i 



In the group with toothless vomers, one of the most notable 

 genera is that of the long-fins (Chilodactylus), so named on account 

 of the elongation of one of the rays of the pectoral fins, which projects to a greater 

 or less degree beyond the rest. A considerable number of species have been 

 described, most of which are inhabitants of the temperate region of the South 

 Pacific, although some are found round the coasts of Japan and China. The 

 species here figured (C. macropterus) is an Australian one ; and both in Australia 

 and at the Cape these fishes form a valuable food-supply, since they attain a weight 

 of from 5 to 25 Ibs., and are easily captured. An allied genus (Latris), dis- 

 tinguished by the absence of any elongation of the pectoral rays and the deeply 

 notched dorsal, is well known in Tasmania and New Zealand in the person of the 

 trumpeter-fish (L. necatia), which claims the first place among the fish-products 

 of those colonies, ranging in weight from 30 to 60 Ibs., and being at the same time 

 most excellently flavoured. 



THE SCORP^NOIDS, Family SCORP^ENID^. 



With this family we come to a group easily distinguished from all the 

 preceding representatives of this section by the articulation of the preopercular 

 bone with the orbit by means of a projecting process from the infraorbital 

 ring. Some of the other bones of the head are also armed, and the dentition 

 is but feebly developed. These fishes, which are represented by a large number 

 of genera, are found in most seas, and are all carnivorous in their habits. Dr. 

 Giinther writes that " some resemble the sea-perches in their form and habits, as 

 Sebastes, Scorpcena, etc., whilst others live at the bottom of the sea, and possess 

 in various degrees of development those skinny appendages resembling the fronds 

 of sea-weeds, by which they either attract other fishes, or by which they are 

 enabled more effectually to hide themselves. Species provided with these 

 appendages have generally a coloration resembling that of their surroundings, and 

 varying with the change of locality. Some of the genera live at a considerable 

 depth, but apparently not beyond three hundred fathoms. Nearly all are 

 distinguished by a powerful armature, either of the head, or fin-spines, or both ; 

 and in some the spines have been developed into poison-organs." The group is 

 scarcely known in a fossil state, although remains of a species of the typical genus 

 occur -in the Eocene of Algeria. 



The family is divided into two sections, according as to whether there are 

 distinct scales on the body, or whether these are rudimentary or wanting. In the 

 former are included Sebastes and the typical Scorpcena. Most curious of all are 

 the members of the Tropical Indo-Pacific genus Pterois, in which the spines of the 

 dorsal and the rays of the pectoral fins are more or less produced, so much so, 

 indeed, that in the case of one species, at least, P. volitans, it was formerly thought 

 that they indicated the possession of flying powers in their owner. The fins and 

 body of this extraordinary-looking fish are most beautifully marked with alter- 

 nating light and dark transverse bands. Among the genera with small or 

 rudimental scales we have only space to mention the Oriental Pelor and Chori- 

 dactylus, each represented only by a single species of 4 or 5 inches in length ; and 



