204 I^HBS. 



1. Small fresli water fishes (1 to 6 inches long) ; elongated 



or fusiform, often brightly coteed; the fins — espe- 

 cially the pectorals— well developed ; anal spines one or 

 two ; branchiostegals 6. . ETHEOSTOMATiDiS!, 89 



2. Pectoral fins very long, reaching at least to anal, with 3 



detached appendages or else several connected, forming 

 an additional fln- cheeks mailed; head bony. 



TriglidcB, the Qumards. 



3. With 7 or 8 filiform appendages on each side below the 



pectorals ; cheeks not mailed. 



Polynemidm, the Tfiread^Fishes. 



4. Throat with two long barbels. MulUdm, the Surmullets. 



5. Dorsal spines only two; scales minute, imbedded in the 



skin. . . . Rhyptieida, the Sowp Fishes. 



6. Ventrals abdominal; body elongated; scales cycloid; 



teeth stout. . . Sphyrasnidm, the Barracudas. 



7. With none of the above combinations ; ventrals mostly 



thoracic. 

 a. Some or all of opercular bones, more or less serrated 

 or spinous. 



6. With teeth on the vomer. 



c. First dorsal low and weak of 8 spines; scales'small ; 

 one or more minute spines in front of anal; 

 teeth strong. . Pomatomidm, the Blue Pishes. 

 cc. Dorsal spines stout; scales ctenoid ; no free anal 

 spines. 

 d. Ventrals 1-5 ; branchiostegals usually 7. 

 e. Cleft of mouth horizontal or oblique ; scales 

 firm. 



— Anal spines 3, sometimes obscure. 



Pbkcid-s!, 90. 



— Anal spines 3, distinct. . Labbacid^, 91. 

 ee. Cleft of mouth nearly vertical ; scales large, 



deciduous. Ghilodipteridm, the Apogons. 



dd. Ventrals 1-7 ; branchiostegals 8 ; anal spines 4. 



Berycidm, the Beryeoids. 



