398 The Squamipinnes 
as in the Stromateide, or they may lose part of their rays. The 
name Squamtpinnes refers to the scaly fins, the typical species 
having the soft rays of dorsal, anal, and caudal, and sometimes 
of other fins densely covered with small scales. In various 
aberrant forms these scales are absent. The name Epelasmia 
(éx1, above; élacpos, plate) refers to the thin upper pharyn- 
geals characteristic of certain forms. The transition from 
this group to the Sclerodermi is very ‘clear and very gradual. 
The Squamipinnes, Sclerodermt, Ostracodermu, and Gymnodontes 
form a continuous degenerating series. On the other hand the 
less: specialized Squamipinnes approach very closely to forms 
already considered. The Antigoniide are of uncertain affinities, 
possibly derived from such forms as Histiopteride, while Platax 
show considerable resemblance to scaly-finned fishes like the 
Kyphoside and Stromateide. The Scorpidide seem intermediate 
between Stromaterde and Platacide. In such offshoots from 
Scombroidei or Percoidei the group doubtless had its origin. 
We may begin the series with some forms which are of 
doubtful affinity and more or less intermediate between the 
Squamipinnes and the more primitive Percomorpht. 
The Scorpidide.—This family has the general appearance of 
Platax and Ilarches, but the teeth are not brush-like, and the 
post-temporal is free from the skull as in perch-like fishes. The 
species inhabit the Pacific. Scorpis georgianus is a food-fish of 
Australia, with the body oblong. Afonodactylus argenteus, the 
toto of Samoa, is almost orbicular in form, while Psettus sebe@ is 
twice as deep as long, the deepest-bodied of all fishes in propor- 
tion to its length. 
The Boarfishes: Antigoniide.—The boarfishes (Antigontide) are 
characterized by a very deep body covered with rough scales, 
the post-temporal, as in the Chetodontide and the Zetde, being 
adnate to the skull. 
These fishes bear some resemblance to Zeus, but there is no 
evidence of close affinity nor is it clear that they are related to 
the Chetodonttde. Capros aper, the boarfish, is common in 
southern Europe, reaching a length of less than a foot, the 
protractile mouth suggesting that of a pig. The diamond- 
fishes, Antigonta, are deeper than long and strongly compressed, 
the body being covered with roughish scales. The color is 
