ZOOLOGICAL 



grown examples of this tiny fish do not exceed half an inch in length ! 

 Another very interesting genus is Periophthalmus, the members of which are 

 known as Walking-Fishes or Mud-Skippers. These extraordinary creatures 

 use their pectoral fins for progressing through the mud, or even for climbing 

 trees. They inhabit the mud-flats at the mouths of various tropical rivers of 

 the Old World. Several species of Goby occur in British waters, all of 

 which are marine and of small size. 



KURTIDiE (Kurtus, &c). Plate 23, Map i. 

 In the distribution shown on the Map, this group has been taken to 

 comprise the true Kurtidse, of which Kurtus indicus is the only known 

 representative, and about a dozen species belonging to the genus Pempheris 

 and its allies, which are sometimes regarded as a distinct family. Kurtus 

 indicus is a small fish occurring in the Indian and Pacific Oceans ; the other 

 species occur, in addition, in the Atlantic ; while one genus {Bathyclupea), is 

 a deep-sea form which has been taken in the Indian and Caribbean Seas. 



PLEURONECTID-SI (Fiat-Fishes). Plate 23, Map i. 



This family contains some 500 species, among which are some of the 

 most familiar and important food-fishes. They have a world-wide distribu- 

 ' tion, and a few fresh-water forms occur in South America and the Malay 

 Archipelago. More than 20 species occur in British seas, including such 

 valuable food-fishes as the Halibut {Hippoglossus limandoides) ; the Plaice 

 (Pleuronectes platessa) ; the Flounder (P. flesus), which ascends rivers to far 

 beyond the influence of the tide ; the Turbot {Psetta maxima) ; the Sole 

 (Solea vulgaris) ; and others. 



ZBIDJE (Dories). Plate 23, Map i. 



About a dozen species are referred to this family, some of which are 

 highly valued as articles of diet. The so-called " John Dories " of the genus 

 Zeus are found in the Mediterranean, part of the Atlantic, the Australian, 

 the Japanese, and one locally in British seas ; Cyttus, an allied genus, occurs off 

 Madeira, South Australia and New Zealand. Other members of the family 

 occur in the Pacific Ocean. 



BRAMnxa: (Brama, &c). Plate 23, Map i. 



The Bramidse occur in nearly all tropical and temperate seas. They have 

 broad bodies, covered with small, firm scales. The species known as Ray's 

 Bream [Brama raii) has been taken several times off the British coast ; 

 indeed, the species was first made known from a Yorkshire specimen. 

 About a dozen species of the family are known. 



CORYPHLENnLE ("Dolphin"). Plate 23, Map i. 



Only two species constitute the present family. They are large, some- 

 what clumsy-looking fishes, occurring in all tropical and subtropical seas. 

 Popularly called "Dolphins," their flesh is much esteemed as food. 



XIPHIID^l (S word-Fishes). Plate 23, Map ii. 



Half a dozen species of this pelagic family are known, which have a 

 singularly wide range, and are remarkable for having their upper jaw pro- 

 longed to form a powerful weapon of offence. The best-known form is the 

 Common Sword-fish (Xiphias gladius), which is not uncommon off certain 

 sections of the British coast, besides having an extremely wide distribution 

 elsewhere. The members of the genera Histiophorus and Tetrapturus are 

 known as Sail- Fishes, and occur in tropical and subtropical seas. 



TFJCHIURIDuE (Scabbard-Fishes, &c). Plate 23, Map ii. 



The Scabbard-Fishes and their allies are widely distributed, and while 

 some are surface-fishes living near the coast, others occur at considerable 

 depths. Some 25 species are known, two of which {Trichiurus Upturns and 

 Lepidopus caudatus) have occurred as stragglers off the British coasts. 

 The former of these is known popularly as the Hair-tail. 



SCOMBRID.E (Mackerels, &c). Plate 23, Map ii. 



The members of this family, well-known as food-fishes, have a remarkably 

 wide distribution. About 50 species are known, which belong to seven genera. 

 The genus Scomber includes the true mackerels, of which one species 

 {Scomber scombrus) is too well-known to require more than an allusion. 

 The Tunny (Thunnus thynnus) is an important representative, attaining a 

 length of ten feet, and being the largest member of the family. It is 

 abundant in the Mediterranean, and occasionally occurs off the south coast 

 of England, and less frequently elsewhere in British seas. Other uncommon 

 British species are the Bonito (Gymnosarda pelamis), and the Belted Bonito 

 (Sarda sarda). 



CARANGnXE (Horse-Mackerels, &c). Plate 23, Map ii. 

 This is a large family, containing about 150 species, which occur in all 

 temperate and tropical seas. About 14 genera are recognised, and three 

 species may be regarded as members of the British fauna. These are the 

 Scad or Horse-Mackerel {Trachurus trachurus), the Pilot-Fish (Naucrates 

 ductor), and the Derbio (Lichia glauca), the two latter being casual visitors. 

 Many of the Carangida? are useful as food. 



LABRIDJE (Wrasses, &c.). Plate 23, Map iii. 



Over 500 species have been referred to this family, which is of universal 

 distribution. Most of the species are noteworthy on account of their 

 brilliant coloration. Seven forms are recorded as British, the chief of 

 which are the Ballan Wrasse (Labrus maculatus), and the Striped Wrasse 

 {Labrus mixtus). The so-called " Parrot- Wrasses " are sometimes regarded 



as a distinct family, under the name of Scaridse. They are mostly tron" 1 

 but one species (Scarus cretensis) occurs in the Mediterranean. Of t-V. ' 

 Wrasses as a whole, some species serve as food while others have the ren f 

 tion of being poisonous : all the British species are unmarketable. 



POMACENTRID^: (Coral-Fishes). Plate 23, Map iii. 



These are a family of beautifully-coloured fishes which, as their ponul 

 name implies, inhabit chiefly the neighbourhood of coral-reefs. About 1^0 

 species have been described, which are most numerous in the tropical part 

 of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. 



CICHLID.E (Chromides). Plate 23, Map iii. 



The members of this family which, for want of a better name are 

 sometimes called "Chromides," are purely inhabitants of fresh and brackish 

 water. Some 293 species are known, of which 150 are natives of Africa 

 Syria and Madagascar, 140 American, and three Indian. In Lake 

 Tanganyika we find a great development of this family; indeed the 

 Cichlidse constitute almost the entire fish-fauna of this interesting lake 



EMBIOTOCID^I (Surf-Fishes). Plate 23, Map iii. 



The members of this small family inhabit principally the surf alono- 

 sandy beaches, whence arises their popular name of "Surf-Fishes." Thev 

 inhabit the western coast of North America and the shores of Japan 

 Twenty-four species are known, only two of which are Japanese. One 

 species lives in fresh water in the lowlands of the Sacramento Basin. 



OSPHROMENID^G (Paradise-Fish, &c). Plate 23, Map iii. 



This is a purely fresh-water family, comprising 22 species, which are 

 restricted to a few comparatively small areas in the Old World. Only one 

 species occurs in Africa, inhabiting the Ogowe River. The best-known and 

 largest member of the family is the so-called Gourami {Osphromenus olfax) 

 a native of the Malay Archipelago, which attains a length of two feet and 

 has a great reputation as a food-fish. 



TEUTRTDID.E (Teuthis). Plate 23, Map iv. 



These fishes are confined to the Indian and Pacific Oceans. About 30 

 species have been described, all placed in a single genus {Teuthis). They 

 are mostly brilliantly coloured, and some forms are reputed to be poisonous. 



ACANTHURID.E (Surgeon-Fishes). Plate 23, Map iv. 



The Surgeon-Fishes are a group of about 80 species, mostly confined to 

 tropical seas. They are brightly -coloured fishes, remarkable for havin^ the 

 tail armed on each side with a peculiar lancet-shaped spine. With this 

 weapon they can inflict dangerous wounds, yet in spite of this fact, they are 

 caught and esteemed as food. 



CHjETODONTID^ (Butterfly-Fishes). Plate 23, Map iv. 



The members of this family owe their popular name to their brilliant 

 and beautiful coloration. They are confined to tropical and subtropical 

 seas, and are most numerous in the neighbourhood of coral reefs. About 

 200 species are known, most of which are found in Polynesia and the East 

 Indian Archipelago. 



CAPROIDiE (Boar-Fish, &c.) Plate. 23, Map iv. 



Only two species have been referred to this family. The better-known 

 of these is the Boar-Fish {Capros aper), which is a native of the Atlantic 

 and the Mediterranean, and is not unfrequently taken off the British coast. 

 The second species, belonging to the genus Antigonius, has occurred at 

 Madeira, Barbadoes and other scattered localities. 



MULLID^I (Red Mullets). Plate 23, Map v. 



The members of this family inhabit tropical and temperate seas, and 

 many species also enter brackish water. About 50 species have been 

 described, two of which {Mullus barbatus and M. surmuletus) are British. 

 The former is much valued as food, but does not attain a large size. It is 

 celebrated in history, since it was esteemed above all other fishes by the 

 Romans, and is mentioned in many classical writings. These fishes are 

 remarkable for their beautiful red colour. 



SPARID.E (Sea-Breams, &c). Plate 23, Map v. 



The Sparidse are a large group, comprising over 200 species, which have 

 a world-wide distribution. They are inhabitants of the shores, and many of 

 them are much esteemed as food. Nine species occur off the British coasts, 

 the best-known of which are the Black Sea-Bream or "Old Wife" 

 (Cantharus lineatus) and the Common Sea-Bream {Pagellus centrodontus). 

 The so-called " Sheep's-Head " of North America is esteemed for the 

 excellent quality of its flesh, while in Australia the "Schnapper" {Sparus 

 unicolor) has a similar reputation. 



SCI^NIDuS (Croakers, &c). Plate 23, Map v. 



The species of this family, about 150 in number, are shore-fishes, found 

 principally in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, especially near the mouths 

 of large rivers which they habitually enter. They are not found in the 

 Red Sea, while in the Pacific they are of great rarity, a fact which is 

 accounted for by the absence of large rivers on its coasts. Nevertheless 

 certain species occur, and some are useful as food. The only British 

 representative of this family is the Maigre {Scisena aquila), a species which 

 is somewhat rare on our coasts, and ranges even to the Cape of Good Hope 

 and Australia. 



