MALACOPTERYGII ABDOMINALES. 233 



Sternoptyx, Herman. 



A genus of small fishes with a very elevated and compressed body, 

 supported by the ribs; their mouth is directed upwards,; their hu- 

 merals form a trenchant crest in front, terminated below by a small 

 spine, and the bones of the pelvis form another, also terminated by 

 a small spine in front of the ventrals, which are so small as to have 

 escaped the notice of the first observer. There is a series of small 

 fossulx along each side of the pelvic crest which has been con- 

 sidered as a festooned duplicature of the sternum, whence the name 

 of Sternoptyx. Before their first dorsal is an osseous or mem- 

 branous crest which belongs to the anterior interspinals, and behind 

 that fin a slight membranous projection is visible, which represents 

 the adipose fin of the Salmon; the sides of the mouth are formed by 

 the maxillaries. Two species are found in the Atlantic, which may 

 one day constitute the types of two separate genera. 



S. diaphana, Herman, Naturforscher, Fasc. XVI, pi. 8; copied 

 Walbaum, Arted. renov. tom. Ill, pi. 1, f. 2. Teeth small and 

 crowded; five rays in the branchiae; its form is singularly ob- 

 lique, the mouth being out of a vertical line. 



S. Olfersii, Cuv. Teeth hooked, and nine rays in the bran- 

 chise. Both these species are taken in the warm parts of the 

 Atlantic Ocean.(l) 



FAMILY V. 



CLUPEtE. 



This family is easily recognized; there is no adipose fin ^ 

 the upper jaw is formed, as in the Trouts, by intermaxillaries 

 without pedicles in the middle, and by the maxillaries on the 

 sides; the body is always covered with numerous scales, and 

 in the greater number we find a natatory bladder and many 

 caeca. A part only of the family ascend rivers. The 



Clupea, Lin. 



Has two well marked characters in the narrow and short intermax- 



(1) Our descriptions are drawn from nature. Herman I'efused to allow his 

 specimen branchial rays and ventrals, although it possesses both; it is still in ex- 

 istence at Strasbourg-. We shall be more particular on this subject in our Icthy- 

 ology. 



Vol. II 2 E 



