328 



SPINY-FINNED FISHES. 



The Riband Fishes (Tcenioids) * are distinguished 

 by an extremely elongated body, very much flattened 



FlG. 257. SCABBARD-FISH. 



on the sides : their form has obtained for them the 

 name of Riband Fishes and Scabbard Fishes, 



The Family of Mugiloids is distinct from all the 

 preceding, and is characterized by an almost cylin- 

 drical body covered with large scales, a slightly- 

 depressed head, and short muzzle, a transverse mouth 

 armed with extremely fine teeth, two separate dorsal 

 fins, and the ventral fins attached behind the pectoral. 

 They constitute a single genus, 



The Mullets (Mugil) which, although they bear in English the 



FlG. 258. THICK-LTPPED GREY MULLET. 



same name, must not be confounded with the lied Mullet (Mullus] 

 described in a preceding page. Their flesh is much esteemed. 



, taenia, a riband ; e?8os, eidos, form, shape. 



