ACANTHOPTERYGII. 143 



DlPTERODON.(l) 



A neighbouring genus, in which the teeth are also trenchant, but 

 cut sloping and not geniculate; the spinous portion of the dorsal 

 separated from the soft part by a deep emargination. 

 Di]f^t. capensis, Cuv., is the only species known. 



The following genera, which we place next to Chsetodon 

 on account of their scaly fins, diiFer greatly from it, however, 

 in the teeth with which their palatines and vomer are fur- 

 nished. The genus 



Brama, B1. Schn.(2) 



Is connected with this family by the scales covering the vertical fins, 

 which have but a small number of spinous rays concealed in their 

 anterior edgesj but they have slender, bent teeth (en cardes) in the 

 jaws and palatines, an elevated profile, very short snout, a forehead 

 descending vertically, and a mouth, when shut, that is almost ver- 

 tical; the scales extend on to the maxillaries; there are seven rays in 

 the branchiae; a dorsal and low anal, but commencing in a salient 

 point; a short stomach; a small intestine and only five caeca. 



But one species is known, Sparus Raii, Bl. 273; it inhabits 

 the Mediterranean, and sometimes strays into the ocean; an 

 excellent fish of a burnished steel colour which attains a large 

 size, but is infested with various species of intestinal worms. 



Pempheris, Cuv. 



A long and scaly anal, the dorsal short and elevated; head obtuse; 

 the eye large; a small spine on the operculum; small crowded teeth 

 on the jaws, vomer and palatines. From the Indian Ocean.(3) 



sonet; — the Pim. marciac, Quoy et Gaym., Voy., Freycin., pi. 62, f. 4; — Pirn, du 

 Cap, ov Kiphose double basse, Lacep., Ill, viii, 1; — a Brazil species formei-ly named 

 by Banks Chxtodon ensis. 



(1) This genus, the name of which is borrowed from Lacep., does not, how- 

 ever, contain the same species. 



(2) I strongly suspect, that it is the Brama which M. Rafinesque has in view, in 

 his Lepodus saragus, Niiov. Gen. No. 144. Shaw makes two species of it, but why, 

 it is impossible to say, the ^p. Raii, and Sp. castaneola; the latter after Lacep. ; but 

 Lacep. made his genus only for the species of Bloch and l{ay. 



(3) Pempheris touea, Cuv., Sparus argenteus, J. White, App. 267, or Kurtus 

 argenteus, Bl. Schn., 164; — P.mangula, Cuv., Russ.,114i — P. molucca, Cuv., Ren., 

 1, XV, 85, and Valent., No. 46. 



