632 



FISHES. 



Callyodon. — Differing from Scarichthys in having the upper 

 lip double posteriorly only. 



Nine species from the tropical zone. 



PsEUDOSCARUS. — Jaws forming a strong beak, the teeth 

 being soldered together. The upper jaw projecting beyond the 

 lower. Two or more series of scales on the cheek. The denti- 

 gerous plate of the lower pharyngeal longer than broad. 



This tropical genus contains by far the greatest number 

 of Scaroid Wrasses, some seventy species being known, and 

 a still greater number of names being introduced into the 

 various Ichthyological works. They are beautifully coloured, 

 but the colours change with age, and vary in an extraordinary 

 degree in the same species. They rapidly fade after death, so 

 that it is almost impossible to recognise in preserved speci- 

 mens the species described from living individuals. Many 

 attain to a rather large size, upwards of three feet in length. 

 The majority are eaten, but some acquire poisonous properties 

 from their food, which consists either of corals or of fucus. 



Odax. — The edge of each jaw is sharp, without distinct 

 teeth. The dentigerous plate of the lower pharyngeal triangular, 

 much broader than long. Cheeks and opercles scaly ; scales of 

 the body small or rather small ; lateral line continuous. Snout 

 conical. Dorsal spines rather numerous, flexible. 



Six species from the coasts of Australia and ISTew Zea- 



"mi 



Fig. 243. — Odax radiatus. 



land. Small. The species figured (0, radiattcs) is from 

 Western Australia. 



