THE PORGIES 



Fauiilv Llll. Sparida- 



BoDY oblong, more or less elevated, covered with rather large 

 adherent scales, which are never truly ctenoid ; lateral line well de- 

 veloped, concurrent with the back, not extending on caudal fin; head 

 large; mouth small, terminal, low, and horizontal; premaxillaries 

 littte protractile; maxillary short, peculiar in form and in articulation, 

 without supplemental bone; teeth strong, those in front of jaws coni- 

 cal, incisor-like, or molar; lateral teeth of jaws always blunt and molar; 

 no teeth on vomer or palatines ; pseudobranchiae large; gill-membranes 

 separate, free from the isthmus; opercle without spines; sides of head 

 usually scaly; dorsal tin single, sometimes deeply notched, the spines 

 usually strong, depressible in a groove; spines heteracanthous, that is, 

 alternating, the one stronger on the right side, the other on the left, 

 the number lo to 13; anal fin rather short, similar to the soft dorsal, 

 with ^ spines; ventrals thoracic, with a more or less distinct scale-like 

 appendage at base; caudal fin usually more or less concave behind; 

 air-bladder present. 



This is a large family of carnivorous shore-fishes of tropical seas, 

 especially abundant in the Mediterranean, Red Sea, and West Indies. 

 About 12 genera and nearly 100 species are known, and most of them 

 are valued as food. In our waters are about 24 species representing 7 

 genera. Most of them are good food-fishes. 



a. Second interh?emal bone enlarged, hollowed antetiorly or pen- 

 shaped, receiving posterior end of air-bladder in its anterior 

 groove. 



h. Front teeth narrow, compressed, forming lanceolate incisors. 



Stciiotonius, 437 



bb. Front teeth conical or canine-like Calamus, 438 



aa. Second interhsemal spine normal, not pen-like. 



c. First spine-bearing interneural with an antioise spine in front. 



d. Incisors conspicuously notched Lagodoii, 440 



dd. Incisors entire or with a shallow notch Arcliosargiis, 441 



cc. First spine-bearing interneural without antrorse spine in front. 



Dip/odiis, 443 



436 



