SPTNY-RAYED FISHES. 59 



number of Families, many of which can be alluded to here by name 

 only : — 



1. PercidcB (Perches). 2. Berycida. 3. Aphredoderidoe. 4. 

 Mullidce (Red Mullets). 5. Sparidce (Sea-Breams). 6. Squami- 

 pinnes (Coral-fishes). 7. Cirrhitidce . 8. Scorpanida. 9. Cottidce 

 (Bullheads, Gurnards). 10. Trachinida (Weevers). 11. Scia- 

 nidce (Meagres). 12. Polynemida. 13. Sphyranida (Barra- 

 cudas). 14. Trichiurida (Hair-tails). 15. Scombrida (Mackerel). 

 16. Carangidce (Horse- Mackerels). 17. XiphiidcB (Sword-fishes) . 

 18. Gobiida (Gobies). 19. Discoboli (Lumpsuckers). 20. 

 Oxudercidce. 21. Batrachida. 22. Pediculati (Frog-fishes). 

 23. Blenniida (Blennies). 24. Acantlioclinida. 25. Come- 

 pkoridce. 26. Trachijpterida (Ribbon -fishes). 27. Lophotida. 

 28. Teuthidida. 29. Acronurida (Surgeons). 30. Hoplo- 

 gnathidce. 31. Malacanthida. 32. Nandida. 33. Polycentrida. 

 34. Labyrinthici. 35. Luciocephalida. 36. Atherinida (Atherines). 

 37. Mugilidae (Grey Mullets). 38. Ophiocephalida. 39. 7W- 

 chonotida. 40. Cepolida (Ban d- fishes) . 41. Gobiesocida. 42. 

 Psychrolutida. 43. Centriscida. 44. Gastrosteidte (Stickle- 

 backs). 45. Fistulariidce (Flute-mouths). 46. Mastacembelida. 



The Acanthopterygians occupy Wall-cases 1 to 14, and skeletons 

 are exhibited in Table-cases 1 and 2. 



The Percida, or Perch-family (Cases 1-5), constitute a large [Cases 

 family of which the common Freshwater Perch (Perca fluviatiiis) is 5, J 



the best-known example. This fish is generally distributed over 

 Europe and Northern Asia, and equally common in North America. 

 The Bass {Labrax) are common on the coasts of Europe and in the 

 fresh waters of North America (L. lineatus, L. rufus, &c:) ; the 

 best-known European species (L. lupus) is an inhabitant of the 

 sea, entering brackish but never fresh water. 



The Pike-Perches (Lucioperca) are inhabitants of lakes and 

 rivers of Europe, temperate Asia, and North America; the European 

 species (L. sandra) is one of the most esteemed freshwater fishes, 

 and attains to a length of 3 or 4 feet and to a weight of from 

 25 to 30 lb. The Black Bass of North America (Huro nigri- 

 cans) is an esteemed food-fish, the introduction of which into 

 Germany is an accomplished fact. The Sea-Perches proper (Ser- 



