116 



SCI.ENID^'E. 



bands, some or all of the outer more or less enlarged but not canine-like. 

 Praeoperculum serrated ; no opercular spines. 7 branchiostegal rays. 

 Two dorsals, connected at the base, the first not more than half as long 

 as the second and Avith 9 or 10 spines ; anal short, with 2 spines. 

 Ventrals below base of pectorals, with basal scaly process. Vertebrae 

 24-25 (10 + 14-15)*. 



Mediterranean, Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans, several species 



entering rivers. 



1. CORVINA NIGRITA. 

 Cuv. & Vul. Hist. Poiss. V. p. 103 (1830) ; Giiiith. Cat. Fish. ii. p. 207 (1860), 



cand Ann. & Mag. N. H. (3) xvi. 18G5, p. 49 ; Steind. Silzh. Ak. Wien, Ix. i. 



18G9, p. 092, pi. viii. ; Pellegr. Bull. Soc. Philom. (9) ix. 1907, p. 35. 

 Corvina clavigera, Cuv. & Val. t. c. p. 101. 



Depth of body 3 J to 3| times in total length, length of head 3| to 4 

 times. Snout and nape with convex profile ; snout projecting a little 



FiK. 87. 



Covvhia nir/rita, 

 Senegal, after Steiudachner (Z. c). j. 



beyond lower jaw, as long as eye (shorter in young); eye 3 (young) to 

 4^ times in length of head, nearly equal to interorbital width ; maxillary 

 extending to below posterior third or posterior border of eye ; head 

 covered with scales, except on the lips. Gill-rakers as long as or a little 



* On the bony swellings sometimes present at the base of the dorsal and anal spines, 

 cf. Guuther, Ann. & Mag. N. H. (3) xvi. 1865, p. 48. 



