ORDER I. BONY FISHES. ACANTHOPTERYGII (SPINY-FINS). 171 
front of each jaw, followed by smaller blunt ones. The known species is 
from the Indian seas, and is of a reddish color. 
Clepticus. — This sub-genus has a small cylindrical snout, which is sud- 
denly advanced forward, but which is not so long as the head. The teeth 
are small, and barely perceptible to the touch; the body is oblong; the 
lateral line continuous; and the dorsal and anal are enveloped in scales 
nearly to the top of the spines. One species, of a red-color, and from the 
West Indies, is the only one known. 
Gomphosus. —- These Labride, with the head entirely smooth, as in Julis, 
have the muzzle in the form of a tube, composed of the prolonged maxil- 
laries and intermaxillaries, as far as the small opening of the mouth. Sev- 
eral species are taken in the Indian Ocean, and the flesh of some is 
considered delicious. 
Scarus. — The Seari resemble the Labridw in their oblong form, large 
scales, and an interrupted laterai line. Several species are found in tropical 
seas, which, on account of their brilliant colors, and the form of their jaws, 
are called Parrot-fishes. One species, S. cretécus, inhabits the Archipel- 
ago, and is remarkable for the change that takes place in its color, being at 
one season blue, and at another, red. This fish was much valued by the 
ancients ; and the Roman admiral, Elipertius Optatus, during the reign of 
Claudius, went to Greece to obtain it, and distribute through the Italian 
seas. 
Fistunarwe. The Pifteenth Family of the Order Acanthopterygii. 
According to Yarrell, the characteristics of this tribe are as follows : — 
A single dorsal, most of which, as well as of the anal, is composed of 
simple rays. The intermaxillaries and the lower jaw are armed with small 
teeth. From the two lobes of the caudal proceeds a filament which is 
sometimes as long as the body. The tube of the snout is very long and 
depressed ; the scales are invisible. There are two genera. 
Fistutarta (Pipe-mouths).— They have a cylindrical body. Their 
head is equal to a third or a fourth of the length of the whole body, which is 
itself long and slender. One species, /. serrata, is sometimes found on 
our shores. ‘There are several varieties of these fishes, one of the most 
remarkable of which is the 2’. Chinens?s, or Chinese Tobacco-pipe Fish. 
They are curious creatures, but of no value to man. 
