202 PISCES. 



Beryx, Cuv. 

 Differs from M3rripristls in having but a single short dorsal, with but a few 

 small spines, almost hidden in its anterior edge; ten soft rays in the ventrals. 



All the Percoides of which we have hitherto spoken, have their 

 ventrals inserted under the pectorals; there are some genera, how- 

 ever, in which they are differently located. 



In the JuGULAKEs, they are placed on the throat further forwards 

 than the pectorals. 



Trachinus, Lin. 

 A compressed head, approximated eyes, and an oblique mouth; the first 

 dorsal very short, the second very long; pectorals large, and a stout spine 

 on the operculum. They generally remain concealed in the sand; wounds 

 inflicted by the spines of their first dorsal are much dreaded, but their flesh 

 is esteemed. Several species are found in the Atlantic, &c. 



Track, draco, L. (The Dragon Weaver.) Grey and reddish, with 

 blackish spots; blue streaks and yellow tints; thirty rays to the second dor- 

 sal; flanks obliquely striated. 



One of the most remarkable genera of the Jugulares is that of 



Uranoscoptjs, Lin. 

 So called because the eyes are placed on the superior surface of the nearly 

 cubical head, and look upwards: the mouth is cleft vertically; the lower 

 part of the preoperculum is crenate, and there is a stout spine to each 

 shoulder; but six rays in the branchise. In the mouth and before the tongue 

 is a long and narrow slip, which can be protruded at the will of the fish, and 

 serves, it is said, to attract small ones, while it remains concealed in 

 the mud. They are commonly termed Star-gazers. 



In a third division of the Percoides, the ventrals are inserted fur- 

 ther back than the pectorals: they are the Abdominales. The first 

 genus is 



POLYNEMUS, L. 



So named because several of the inferior pectoral rays are free, and form so 

 many filaments; the ventrals are not very far back, and the pelvis is still 

 suspended to the bones of the shoulder. They are allied to the Percoides 

 by the teeth, either small and crowded, or bent back like those of a wool- 

 card, which arm their jaws, vomer, and palate; but their snout is convex, 

 and the vertical fins scaly as in many of the Scienoides: the two dorsals are 

 separated, the preoperculum is dentated and the mouth deeply cleft: they 

 are found in all the seas of hot climates. 

 Pol. paradiseus, L. (The Mango Fish.) So called from its fine yellow 



