LABRID^. 251 



Thirteenth group — Acanthopterygii pharyngognathi. 



The two inferior pharyngeal bones are generally anehylosed into one with 

 or without a median longitudinal suture. Air-bladder destitute of a pervious 

 pneumatic duct. 



Miiller separated from tlie remainder of the hard-rayed or Acanthoptery- 

 gian fishes, under the designation of Fharyngognathi, such families as he observed 

 had the inferior pharyngeal bones coalesced into one, as in Pomacentridce, Labridce, 

 and Ghromides. But a more extended investigation has since shown that this 

 division is inadmissible. Thus in genus Gerres, wherein the inferior pharyngeal 

 bones were found to be usually as defined in the PJiaryngognathi, Kner pointed 

 out that Gerres macrosovia is an exception, and Professor Peters has recorded the 

 same fact of G. plumieri. If such a character is unreliable within the limits of 

 a single genus, it can scarcely be accepted as a ground upon which to institute 

 a sub-order of fishes. 



Family, XXVIII— LABEID^, Guvier. 



Labroidei cycloidei, Miiller ; Scaroidei, Cantor ; Gyololabridce, Owen. 



JBrancMostegals five or six : pseudobranohice present. Gills three and a half. 

 Body oblong or elongated. Teeth in the jaws : palate edentulous : lower pharyngeal 

 bones anehylosed along the median line into one, without any median suture. A 

 single dorsal fin, with usually as many or inore spines than rays : the anal rays 

 getierally similar to those of the dorsal ; ventral thoracic with one spine and five 

 rays. Scales cycloid. Lateral-line complete or interrupted. Air-bladder present, 

 without pneumatic duct. No coecal sac to the stomach. Pyloric appendages absent. 



Geographical distribution. — These littoral fishes, known as wrasses or rock-fish, 

 appear to be exclusively marine and confined to the seas of tropical and temperate 

 regions, being nearly absent from those of colder climes. Around the British Isles 

 they are generally found in the vicinity of rocks, and appear partial to such 

 as are covered by sea-weeds. 



Many of the wrasses, termed Labridoe due to size of their lips, are adorned 

 with gorgeous tints, the intensity of which is greatly augmented during the 

 nuptial period, usually about May. They are also subject to great individual 

 variations in the mode in which they are coloured, while in some the livery of 

 the two sexes is very dissimilar. Variations in form are not unusual among 

 these fishes ; thus the head in certain species is comparatively longer in the 

 young than in the adult. Some of the soft rays may be transformed into spines, 

 as I have already observed occurs among the Serrani and Sparidm (p. 14) : the 

 height of the spines as compared to the rays is greater in the young than in 

 adults. The preopercle may be serrated in the young, but smooth in the adult. 

 They are provided with exceedingly strong teeth to enable them to crush the 

 shells of marine molluscs and Crustacea, while some feed on corals, others on 

 zoophytes or even sea- weeds. A few are provided with a pointed tooth directed 

 forward, and placed at the angle of the mouth, which is supposed to be employed 

 for pressing shells against the lateral and crushing teeth. 



As food they cannot be recommended for their superior flavour, while their 

 flesh is soft, somewhat sweet, and rapidly decomposes. Mr. Birchell (Zool. 1876, 

 p. 5160), however, observes that speaking from experience he can say that they 

 are excellent eating, and at the present day are largely consumed and much 



