ACANTHOPTERYGII 659 



the anal ; latter with 1 or 2 spines only. A'entrals with ] spine 

 and 5 soft rays. 



Embrace about 90 species from the fresh waters of the 

 Northern Hemisphere, referable to 1 2 genera : Perca, Lucioperca, 

 Percina, Etheostoma, Bohosoma, Ulocentra, Biplesium, Ammo- 

 crypta, Crystallaria, A&pro, Percarina, Acerina. Tiie British 

 representatives of this family are the Perch (Perca fluviatilis) 

 and the Pope {Acerina cernua). The largest forms are the Pike- 

 Perches or Sander (Lucioperca) of Eastern Europe, Western Asia, 

 and North America, which reach a length of 4 feet and are 

 highly valued for the table. The American Darters (Mheosfo7na 

 and allies), on the other hand, are among the smallest fishes, but 

 many are remarkable for their brilliant coloration. 



Fam. 10. Acropomatidae. — An ill-defined group of marine 

 fishes, some deep-sea, placed here provisiraially as annectant be- 

 tween the Percidae and the Serranidae (Pomatominae), differing 

 from the latter in the absence of a subocular shelf Spinous 

 dorsal short. 



About 28 species, mostly from the Pacific Ocean, distributed 

 in 9 genera : Propoma, Xenichthys, Xcnocys, Synagrops, Mcdac- 

 ichthys, Acrop)oma, Melanostotnct, Ep)igonus {Tdescops), Dinolestes. 

 Fam. 11. Serranidae. — Second suborbital with an internal 

 lamina supporting the globe of the eye ; entopterygoid present ; 

 palate usually toothed. Anterior vertebrae without transverse 

 processes ; all or most of the ribs inserted on the transverse 

 processes where these are developed. Two .nostrils on each 

 side. Grill-membranes free from isthmus ; 6 or 7 branchiostegal 

 rays ; gills 4, a slit behind the fourth ; pseudobranchiae usually 

 present. Lower pharyngeal bones usually separate. Soft portion 

 of dorsal usually not much more developed than the anal. 

 Ventral fins with 1 spine and 5 (rarely 4) soft rays. 



One of the largest families of fishes. The principal genera 

 may be grouped as follows : — 



Seeeaninae. — Percichthys, Percilia, Lateolahrax, Nip)hon, 

 Morone, Percolates, Gtenolates, Macquaria, Siniperca, Coreoperca, 

 Acanthistius, Trachypoma, Gentrogenys, Polyprion, Oligorus, 

 Stereolepis, Dinoperca, lAopropoma, Aulacocephalus, Plectropoma, 

 Epinephelus, Cromileptes, Paranthias, Serranus, Centropristes, 

 Chelidoperca, Gilhertia, Caesioperca, Caprodon, Anthias, Gallan- 

 thias, Pseud opl estops, Plesiops, Trachinops. 



