MOKOSE. 101 



Fam. 3. SERRANID.E. 



Perciform fishes with the second suborbital produced into a subocular 

 lamina (subocular shelf), usually with teeth on the palate, separate 

 lower pharyngeal bones, gill-membranes free from isthmus, 6 or 7 

 branchiostegal rays, and two nostrils on each side. Spinous dorsal well 

 developed ; soft portion of dorsal usually not much more developed 

 than anal ; latter usually with 3 spines. Bibs usually sessile on the 

 anterior vertebra?, inserted on the transverse processes when these are 

 well developed. 



Mostly marine and represented over the greater part of the world. 

 Five genera have members in African fresh waters. 



& v 



Synopsis of the Genera. 



I. Villiform teeth on the palate ; 7 branchiostegal rays. 

 Ventrals a little behind vertical of base of pectorals, 



without scaly basal process ; dorsal fins con- 

 tiguous or narrowly separated from each other ; 



tongue with teeth 1. Morone, Mitch., p. 101. 



Ventrals below or slightly behind base of pectorals, 



with scaly basal process ; dorsal fins contiguous 



or narrowly separated ; tongue without teeth . 2. Lates, 0. & V., p. 105. 

 Ventrals a little behind base of pectorals, with scaly 



basal process ; dorsal fins widely separated ; 



tongue without teeth 3. Lriciolates, Blgr., p. 110. 



II. Teeth on palate in a single series ; 6 branchiostegal rays. 

 Ventrals below base of pectorals, with scaly basal 



process ; scales large, cycloid ; a small spine, 



directed forwards, in front of dorsal fin ... 4. Ambassis, G. & V., p. 111. 

 Ventrals a little behind vertical of base of pectorals, 

 without scaly basal process ; scales small, 

 ctenoid ; a very strong opercular spine ... 5. Therappn, Cuv., p. 113. 



1. MORONE. 



Mitchell, Rep. Fish. N. York, p. 18 (1814), part. ; Gill, Proc. Ac. Philad. 1860, 

 p. 115 ; Bouleng. Cat. Fish. i. p. 125 (1895), and Fish. Nile, p. 447 (1907). 



Labrax (non Pall.), Cuv. & Val. Hist. Poiss. ii. p. 55 (1828) ; Giintb. Cat. Fish. 

 i. p. 63 (1859). 



Dicentrarchus, Gill, t. c. p. 111. 



Body more or less elongate, moderately compressed ; scales moderate 

 or rather large, ctenoid ; lateral line complete. Mouth moderate or 



