654 TELEOSTEI 



III Eibs inserted on tlie transverse processes when tliese 

 are developed ; not more than 3 anal spines. 

 Mouth not or but feebly protractile ; spinous dorsal usually longer than 



the soft ; anal with 1 or 2 spines . . .9. Percidae. 



Mouth moderately protractile ; palate toothed ; spinous dorsal not longer 



than the soft; anal with 2 or 3 spines . .10. Acropomatidae. 



Mouth very protractile ; palate toothless ; praemaxillary with an upwardly 



directed lateral process . . . 17. Gerridae. 



Mouth moderately protractile ; palate toothed ; anal longer than soft dorsal ; 

 body scaly . ..... 18. Lactariidae. 



Mouth moderately protractile ; palate toothless ; anal much longer than soft 

 dorsal ; body naked . . .19. Trichodontidae. 



tt Transverse processes developed on the third vertebra 

 and bearing the ribs ; palate usually toothless. 

 No subocular shelf ; teeth small . . .22. Pristipomatidae. 



A subocular shelf ; teeth often large, either cutting in front or molar-like 



on the sides 23. Sparidae. 



A subocular shelf ; teeth very small or absent ; a pair of barbels on the 

 throat . . . . . . . .24. Midlidae. 



** Ventrals rather far behind the base of the pectorals ; 

 lower pectoral rays unbranched, often thickened ; no 

 subocular shelf 

 Anal fin nearly as long as the soft dorsal . 20. Latrididae. 



Anal fin much shorter than the soft dorsal . 21. Haplodactylidae. 



B. Gill-membranes attached to the isthmus. 



* Scales well developed ; vertebrae 24 or more. 

 A subocular shelf ; mouth small ; palate toothless 27. Ghaetodontidae. 

 No subocular shelf ; mouth small ; palate toothless 28. Drepanidae. 

 Subocular shelf more or less developed ; a snperbranchial respiratory organ 



31. Osphromenidae. 

 ** Scales minute ; mouth small ; vertebrae 22 or 23. 

 Post-temporal not distinctly forked ; vertebrae with strong transverse pro- 

 cesses ; ventrals with 1 spine and 2 to 5 soft rays 29. Acanthuridae. 

 Post-temporal forked ; vertebrae without transverse processes ; ventrals ■^^•itll 

 2 spines and 3 soft rays between them . 30. Teuthididae. 



b. Lower pharyiigeals completely united into one bone, without 

 median suture . . . 32. Embiotocidae. 



B. A single nostril on each side ; lower pharyngeal bones more or less 

 completely united, but Avith persistent suture ; no subocular shelf ; palate 

 toothless . ...... 33. Gichlidae. 



II. Gills three and a half; lower pharyngeals completely united into one 

 bone, without median suture ; palate toothless. 



A single nostril oil each side ; teeth conical or incisor-like ; a subocular 

 shelt ........ 34. Pomacentridae. 



Two nostrils on each side ; anterior teeth usually strong and canine-like ; 

 teeth on pharyngeal bones conical or tubercular ; no subocular shelf 



35. Lahridae. 



Two nostrils on each side ; anteiior teeth more or less coalesced into a beak ; 

 teeth on pharyngeal bones fiat, tessellated ; no subocular shelf 



36. Scaridae. 



