SPINY-RAYED FISHES. 59 



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

 only : — 



1. Percida (Perches). 2. Berycidce. 3. Aphredo derides. 4. 

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

 pinnes (Coral-fishes). 7. Cirrhitida. 8. Scorpanidce, 9. Cottidce 

 (Bullheads, Gurnards). 10. Trachinidce (Weevers). 11. Scue- 

 nidce (Meagres). 12. Polynemidce. 13. Sphyrcenidce (Barra- 

 cudas). 14. Trichiuridce (Hair-tails). 15. Scombridce (Mackerel). 

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

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

 Oxudercidoe. 21. Batrachida. 22. Pedictdati (Frog-fishes). 

 23. Blenniidce (Blennies). 24. Acanthoclinidce. 25. Come- 

 phorida. 26. Trachypteridos (Ribbon-fishes). 27. Lophotidce. 

 28. Teuthididce. 29. Acronuridce (Surgeons). 30. Hoplo- 

 gnathidce. 31. Malacanthidce. 32. Nandidce. 33. Polycentridos. 

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

 37. Mugilida (Grey Mullets). 38. Ophiocephalidce. 39. Tri- 

 chonotida. 40. Cepolidce (Band- fishes) . 41. Gobiesocidae. 42. 

 Psychrolutidce. 43. Centriscidce. 44<. Gastrosteidce (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 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 JS i-opean species (L. lupus) is an inhabitant of the 

 sea, entering Drn«A : sh 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 (Stir- 



