FAMILY SCIENID.« — LEIOSTOMUS. 69 



FAMILY IV. SCIENID^. 



No teeth on the vomer or palatines. Denticulations or spines on the opercular bones. Mouth 

 ■ not protractile. Cheeks not mailed. Scales on the bases of the vertical fins. With one 

 or two dorsal fins. Teeth various. 



This family resembles the Percida in many particulars, such as the various denticulations 

 or spines on the opercular pieces, the variations in the dorsal fins and the branchial rays, etc., 

 but are at once distinguished by their smooth palate. Some of the genera of the preceding 

 family, with smooth palates, appear to constitute a connecting link or passage from the Per- 

 cida to the family now under consideration. The Scienidce have all a peculiar aspect, and 

 may in general be readily recognized by their arched snout, and by the scales which ascend 

 high upon the vertical fins ; they have the habits of the Perch family, and in general are 

 excellent food. The species are for the most part inhabitants of the intertropical seas ; none 

 are common to both continents, and a great majority of the species are American. Many of 

 them make a grunting noise, which Cuvier supposes may possibly be connected with their 

 complicated air-bladder. 



The species already known exceed two hundred and fifty, which have been distributed by 

 Cuvier under thirty-one genera. 



GENUS LEIOSTOMUS. Cuvier. 



Anal spine feeble. Very minute denticulations on the preopercle. Teeth in the jaws even, 

 and excessively small. Pharyngeals paved on their posterior border. Snout convex, 

 arched. Two dorsals. 



Obs. The name of this genus was formed by Lacepede, upon the erroneous idea of the 

 total absence of teeth. Cuvier first assigned its proper characters. 



THE LAFAYETTE. 



LEIOSTOMUS OELIQUCS. 



PLATE LX. FIG. 195. 



Mugil obliquus. MiTCHiLL, Report in part, etc., p. 16. 



LabnLs id., Little Porgee. Id. Lit. and Pliil. Soc. Vol. 1, p. 405. 



Sciena multifasciata. Lesueur, Acad. Nat. Sciences, Vol. 2, p. 255. 



Le Leioslome a epavle noire,- L. humeraUs. Cnv. et Val. Hist. Poiss. Vol. 5, p. 141, pi. 110. 



Characteristics. Fourteen to eighteen transverse oblique bands over the back. A dark 

 rounded spot behind the upper angle of the opercle. Length 6 to 8 inches. 



Description. Body compressed. Back gibbous, rapidly descending to the nape. Snout 

 blunt. Eyes large. Nostrils double ; the posterior oblique, largest. Three or four pores at 



