FISHES. 



177 



types, but these are all very characteristic and quite rich in species ; the families have 

 been named Sphyreenidas, Atherinidse, and Mugilidse. 



In all troi^ical and sub-tropical waters are found fishes of an elongated pike-like 

 form, with the head compressed, conical, and pointed in front, the mouth well fissured 

 and armed with strong teeth ; two dorsal fins quite separated from each other, the 

 first armed with five or six spines, and the hinder provided with one spine and nine or 

 ten rays ; the anal opposite the second dorsal, and like it in form and extent ; the 



Fig. 109. — Sphyrana spet, barracuda (aboye), and Lophius piscatorius, fishing-frog, goose-fish (below). 



ventrals not far behind the breast, and the vertebrae developed in normal number. 

 The family so distinguished is named Sphyejenid^. The fishes of this type, although 

 more especially abundant in the equatorial and warmer seas, are represented by wan- 

 derers northward and southward. About twenty species are known, four of which 

 visit the coast of the United States ; of these, three wander more or less north- 

 ward along the eastern coast, and one occurs on the western coast. The most general 

 name along the American coast is barracuda, and this is applied to all the species both 

 east and west. 



VOL. III. —12 



