SPINY-RAYED FISHES. 



61 



is highly esteemed on account of the excellency of its flesh. The 

 "Snapper"'^ [Pagrus unicolor) is one of the best-known sea-fishes 

 of Southern Australia and New Zealand ; it attains to a length of 

 more than 3 feet and to a weight exceeding 20 lb. 



The Squamipinnes, or Coral-fishes (Case 7), are inhabitants of 

 the ti'opical seas, and abound chiefly in the neighbourhood of 

 coral-reefs. They attain only small dimensions, and comparatively 

 few are used as food. They are carnivorous, feeding on small 

 invertebrates. The typical forms of this family are readily 

 recognized by the short and deep form of their body, and by 

 having the soft, and frequently also the spinous, part of their 



[Case 7.] 



Ilmiochus macroleindotus. (ludinn Ocean.) 



