446 SEBRAN1D.E. 



ACANTHOPTEEYGIL 



SERRANID^E. 



Mouth protractile, the maxillaries excluded from the oral border. Lower pharyngeal 

 bones usually separate. Two nostrils on each side. Second suborbital bone with an 

 internal lamina supporting the globe of the eye. Gill-membranes free from isthmus ; 

 gills four, a slit behind the fourth. Pectoral fins with the pterygials longer than broad, 

 more or less regularly hourglass-shaped. Ventral fins thoracic, with one spine and five 

 soft rays. Dorsal and anal fins usually with strong, pungent spines; soft portion of 

 dorsal usually not much more developed than the anal. Anterior vertebrae without 

 transverse processes ; all or most of the ribs inserted on the transverse processes where 

 these are developed. Air-bladder present. 



The Serranida3 are very closely related to the Percidse, and are usually designated 

 as the Sea-Perches, most of the forms being marine, whilst the true Perches are almost 

 exclusively inhabitants of the fresh waters of Europe, Northern Asia, and North 

 America. A few of the Serranidse are, however, freshwater fishes, such as the three 

 species of Lates inhabiting Africa ; whilst some of the Sea-Bass of the genus Morone 

 occasionally enter fresh waters. 



These fishes are essentially carnivorous and often of ferocious habits ; owing to their 

 large size, many are dangerous to men bathing. 



Two genera are represented in Egypt, by species which rank among the very best 

 eating. 



1. MORONE. 



I Mitchell, Bep. Fish. N. York, p. 18 (1814), part. ; Boulenger, Cat. Fish. i. p. 125 (1895). 



/ Jioccus, Mitchell, op. cit. p. 25. 



Labrax (non Pallas), Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Poiss. ii. p. 55 (1828) ; Giinther, Cat, Fish. i. 

 p. 63 (1859). 



Dicentrarchus, Gill, Proc. Ac. Philad. I860, p. 115. 



Body compressed; scales moderate or rather large, smooth, ciliated; lateral line 

 complete, extending on the caudal fin. Mouth moderate or rather large ; maxillary 

 exposed, without supplemental bone; villiform teeth in jaws and on vomer and 



