ICHTHYOLOGY OP THE LESSER ANTILLES, 



459 



Callionynus PeriopMhalmus Boleophthalmus, A mblyopus Trypauchen), Blenniidw (Zoarcet A narrhieat, Oryptacanthodes, 

 Salarian, Oentronotus, Oristiceps), QoMesocidce {Qobimox Sicyam, Lepadogaster) ; Cottidm {Uranidea, Ootlus LeptocoUus, 

 J Temitripterus, Saorpaeniohthys). 



IV. Epelqsmia. Basis cranii double, with basal muscular tube ; posttemporal undivided. Second, third and 

 fourth superior pharyngeals transverse vertioal laminre. Scapula with median foramen ; basal pectoral bones four, 

 short. Dorsal spines strong. Families, Aeronuridm, (with Amphacanthus) and OliaetodonUdw, (with Ohaetodon, 

 Chelmo, Zanclus, Platax, Heniochus, (Taurichthys,) Epibulus and Toxotes). 



V. Bhegnopleri. Basis cranii double with tube ; posttemporal bifurcate ; scapula with median foramen ; superior 

 pharyngeal bones lour, third largest, narrow, directed forward. Basal pectoral bones divided ; two normal, support- 

 ing fin ; one longitudinal without rays, and one a plate on eoracoid, supporting elongate rays. Dorsal spines. Ouo 

 family, the THcMdiontidm (1'olynemida,). 



VI. JHs/egi. Basis cranii double, with muscular tube. Posttemporal bifuroated, soapula with median foramen • 

 basal pectorals three or four, short quadrate. Superior pharyngeal bones four, third always the largest, longitudinal 

 more or less elongate, not articulated to the cranium. Inferior pharyngeals separated. Dorsal fin with strong spines. 



a Third extremely elongate, narrowed forwards ; Scomhridm, XipMadidm. TricM-ilridw. 



fi Third shorter, but narrow ; fierycidai, Pei'ddai in part. 



y Third nearly wide as long ; Percida pt., Sparidm, Scimnidm, Prutipomatidm, Triglidm pt. 



(J Third much enlarged into a grinder. Sillaginidm, Uaranyidm (Scyris, Blepharis, Lactarius, Drepane, Equula 

 Trachynotus), Echeneidm, Gerreidce, Heterognathidce, Amblodon, Liostomus (4th wanting). 



c Third more or less basin shaped ; Pterou, Synanceia, Scorpaina, Pelor (tube rudimental), Peristedion, 

 Trigla (pts). 



VII. Jjiibyrinthici. Basis crainii double, with muscular tube. Superior pharyngeals without tho fourth third 

 massive artioulated to cranium, one or other of the superior branchihyals developed into vertical laminse often invo- 

 luted. Inferior pharyngeals distinct. Dorsal flu spinous. 



1. Second sup. pharyngeal present, superior branehials present, fourth greatly laminated. 



Osphromenidce. 



II. Second sup. pharyngeal wanting ; first sup. branehihyal with three lamina;. 



a Second and third sup. branchihyals present. (Polyacanthus A.nabas), Anabantida 



fi Second (and third?) sup. branchihyals wanting. Helostoma. 



I'liAitYNGOGNATin. Basis cranii double, with tube ; basilar bones of pectoral, four, short. Scapula with median 

 foramen. Cranium normal posteriorly ; posttemporal bifurcated. Superior branchihyals not complicated ; superior 

 pharyngeals with the third greatly developed and attached by movablo articulation to cranium, the others wanting or 

 rudimental. Inferior pharyngeals solidly coossified. 



1 Fourth superior pharyngeal rudimental, second slender toothless; first similar. 



Embiotoeidas (7 genera). 



2. Fourth wanting ; second laminar, adherent to third, dentate: (probably 4th coossified with third), (3d not 

 articulated to cranium in Orcnicichla, first present, in OhrornU and J/eliases). Chromididw. 



3. Fourth wanting ; 



* Second rudimental rod-like, third with fixed articulation to fourth sup. branehihyal. Labridw. 



'■'■ "-" Second wanting ; 



Labridos, ? Crenalun, Odax, Qomphomt. 



4. Third only present, the opposites united, and with a sliding articulation on the much enlarged fourth super, 

 branehihyal. Bcand®. 



With this order we close the series, and think that it has a general claim to stand at the head of the true fishes. 

 It displays an aggregation of all the characters which distinguish the higher from the lower fishes, whether in refer- 



