408 FISHES. 



reappears in isolated representative species. Some Lethrini 

 attain to a length of three feet. 



Sphcerodon is closely allied to Lethrinus, but has scales on 

 the cheek. One species from the Indo-Pacific. 



Pageus. — Body oblong, compressed, with scales of moderate 

 size. Several pairs of strong canine-like teeth in both jaws ; 

 molars arranged in two series. Cheeks scaly. The spines of the 

 dorsal fin, eleven or twelve in number, are sometimes elongate, 

 and can be received in a groove ; anal spines three. 



Thirteen species are known, chiefly distributed in the 

 warmer parts of the temperate zones, and more scantily repre- 

 sented between the tropics. Several species (P. vulgaris, 

 P. auriga, P. hocagii) occur in the Mediterranean and the 

 neighbouring parts of the Atlantic ; one (P. argyrops) is well 

 known on the coasts of the United States under the names of 

 " Soup," " Porgy," or "Mishcup," and one of the most important 

 food fishes, growing to a length of 18 inches and a weight of 4 

 lbs. ; another (P. unicolor) is one of the best-known sea -fishes 

 of Southern Australia and New Zealand, where it is called 

 " Snapper ; " it is considered very good eating, like all the 

 other species of this genus, and attains, like some of them, a 

 length of more than 3 feet and a weight exceeding 20 lbs. 



Pagellus. — Body oblong, compressed, with scales of moderate 

 size. Jaws without canines ; molars on the sides arranged in 

 several series. Cheeks scaly. The spines of the dorsal fin, 

 from eleven to thirteen in number, can be received in a groove ; 

 anal spines three. 



Seven species are known, the majority of which are Euro- 

 pean, as P. erythrinus, common in the Mediterranean, and not 

 rare on the south coast of England, where it is generally 

 termed "Becker;" P. cenirodontus, the common "Sea-bream" 

 of the English coasts, distinguished by a black spot on the 

 origin of the lateral line; in the young, wliich are called 

 " Chad " by Cornish and Devon fishermen, this spot is absent ; 



