1666 Bulletin 4.7, United States National Museum. 



transverse laminae. Hypercoracoid with median foramen ; pectoral with 

 4 short basal bones. This group comprises a large number of fishes, some 

 of them showing analogies with the Carangidcv on the one hand and with 

 certain Percoid fishes on the other ; the typical forms specialized in direc- 

 tions leading toward the Plcctognathi. The limits of the group are uncer- 

 tain, although there is no doubt about the relationship of any of the genera 

 here treated. Perhaps several of the families currently recognized as 

 Scombroid belong here. From the Squamipinnes the Plectognathi are cer- 

 tainly descended. The close relation of Balistes to Tcuthis admits of no 

 doubt. This relationship is shown in the osteology, the reduced post- 

 temporal and coalesced bones of jaws, in the great development of the 

 pubic bone, in the restriction of the gill openings, and in the character of 

 the scales, especially the armature of the tail. In a natural system the 

 BaliatidcB would follow the Teuthididce and Slganidce. The Teuthididw and 

 the Balistidce are as nearly related to each other as the Epliippldce, are to 

 the Cncetodontidce. (squama, scale ; pinna, fin. The group is called Epelas- 

 mia by Cope, but the name Squamipinnes is older, and the Chcetodontidce 

 are the chief constituents of both groups. 



FAMILIES OF SQUAMIPINNES. 



a. Post-temporal bifurcate or trifurcate, not united with the skull; dorsal fins 2; sepa- 

 rate teeth slender, hardly brush-like; maxillary distinct. EPHIPPIDJE, CLXIV. 

 aa. Post-temporal apparently simple, firmly united to the skull, dorsal fin continuous; 



ventral rays I, 5. 



&. Teeth brush-like, setiform, thickset; post-temporal with a foramen which is 



usually fully perforate; carnivorous fishes with the intestinal canal short; 



the caudal peduncle unarmed and the pubic hone not greatly developed; 



maxillary distinct. * 



c. Scales well developed. CH^ETODONTIDJE, CLXV. 



cc. Scales reduced to minute asperities ; some of the dorsal spines filamentous. 



ZANCLIDvE, CLXVI. 



6&. Teeth incisor -like, in a single series ; post- temporal with a foramen which 

 does not pass through the bone ; scales minute, rough ; herbivorous fishes 

 with the intestinal canal elongate; the caudal peduncle usually armed 

 with spines or tubercles ; maxillary and premaxillary immovably united ; 

 post-temporal united with skull; pubic bones very long, bent, firmly 

 attached to each other. TEUTHIDID^E, CLXVII. 



Family CLXIV. EPHIPPIDvE. 

 (THE SPADE-FISHES.) 



Body compressed, usually greatly elevated, the anterior profile steep, 

 the caudal peduncle short. Scales moderate or small, ctenoid, densely 

 covering the soft parts of the vertical fins ; lateral line present, following 

 the curve of the back. Mouth small, terminal, horizontal ; premaxilla- 

 ries slightly protractile; maxillary short, without supplemental bone, 

 partly slipping under the narrow preorbital; jaws with bands of slender, 

 pointed, movable, brush-like teeth; nostrils double; preopercle very 

 finely serrated or entire ; gill membranes broadly attached to isthmus, the 

 openings restricted to sides; branchiostegals 6 or 7; pyloric ceeca few; 



