SOO PISCES. 



times, instead of a first dorsal, there are only a few free spines. The 

 first rays of their anal are also spines, and there is generally one to 

 each ventral. 



FAMILY I. 

 PERCOIDES. 



This family is so called because its type is the Common Perch. 

 It comprehends fishes with oblong bodies, covered with scales that 

 are generally hard or rough, and whose operculum or preopercu- 

 lum, and frequently both, have dentated or spinous edges, and whose 

 jaws, the fore-part of the vomer, and generally the palatine bones, 

 are furnished with teeth. 



The species are extremely numerous, particularly in the seas of 

 hot climates; their flesh is generally wholesome and agreeable. 



In the first subdivision we find seven rays in the branchiae, two 

 fins on the back, and all the teeth small and crowded. 



Perca, Cuv. 

 The true Perches have the preoperculum dentated; the bony operculum 

 terminated by two or thi'ee sharp points and a smooth tongue. Sometimes 

 the sub-orbital and the humeral are slighty dentated. North America pro- 

 duces several species. 



Labrax, Cuv. 



Distinguished from the Perches by scaly opercula terminating in two spines, 

 and by a rough tongue. 



The United States produce a large and beautiful species, Labr. Hneatus, 

 Cuv. (The Rock-fish), with longitudinal blackish stripes. 



The remaining genera of this division are Lates, Centropomus, Grammis- 

 tes, Aapro, &c. &c. diffei-ing in various particulars relative to the operculum 

 and preoperculum, armature of the jaws, &c. 



A second subdivision comprises Percoides with two dorsal fins, 

 and long and pointed teeth mingled with the small and crowded ones. 



There are two genera, Ambassis, Lucio-Perca or Perch-Pike. 



A second division comprises Percoides with seven branchial 

 rays and one dorsal. They are subdivided in nearly the same way 



