SPARID^E. 25 



Family, III— SPARIDJE, Owner. 



Branchiostegals from five to seven : pseudobranchiae well-developed. Body 

 oblong and compressed. Eyes of moderate size, lateral. Moutb in front of snout, 

 having 1 a lateral cleft. Bones of the head with a rudimentary muciferous system. 

 No teeth on the palate (except in the Genus Pimelepterus) : more or less broad 

 and cutting or conical teeth in front of the jaws, or a lateral series of molars, or 

 both conjoined. A single dorsal fin formed by a spinous and soft portion, their 

 bases being of nearly equal extent : anal with three spines : lower pectoral rays 

 branched in most of the genera : ventrals thoracic, with one spine and five rays. 

 Lateral-line continuous, not extending on to the caudal fin. Scales cycloid, or 

 feebly ctenoid. 



Geographical distribution. — Seas of temperate and tropical regions. Some 

 enter fresh waters. 



SYNOPSIS OF BRITISH GENERA. 



First group — Cantharina. 



Broad and cutting teeth in front of the jaws : no molars : palate edentulous. 

 Lower pectoral rays branched. 



1. Cantharus. Cardiform teeth, -with the outer row slightly compressed and 

 lanceolate. Cheeks scaly : vertical fins scaleless. 



2. Box. A single row of notched and trenchant teeth in both jaws. Cheeks 

 scaly : vertical fins scaleless. 



Second group — Pagrina. 



Cutting teeth in front of the jaws ; and molars along the sides. 



3. Pagms. Scales on cheeks. Canine teeth : two rows of molars in the 

 upper jaw. 



4. Pagellus. Scales on cheeks. No canine teeth. 



First group — Cantharina. 



Broad and cutting teeth in front of the jaws : no molars : palate edentulous. 

 Lower pectoral rays branched. 



Genus I. — Cantharus, Cnvier and Valenciennes. 



Branchiostegals six : pseudobranchiai present. Vilh'form or cardiform teeth in 

 fir jaivs, those form in >\ lite outer roio being compressed and lanceolate. Cheeks 

 scaled. Dorsal fin with 10 or 11 spines, which can be received into a scaly sheath. 

 Sea I es of moderate size. Pyloric appendages few. Air-bladder divided posteriorly 

 inti) two /torn*. 



Geographical d ist ril> a I inn. — From Scandinavia and the British Isles, through 

 the Atlantic Ocean to the Cape of Good Hope and the Seychelles. Also extended 

 throughout the Mediterranean. 



