116 



SCLEN1D.E. 



bands, some or all of the outer more or less enlarged but not cauine-like. 

 Preeoperculum serrated ; no opercular spines. 7 branchiostegal rays. 

 Two dorsals, connected at the base, the first not more than half as long 

 as the second and with 9 or 10 spines ; anal short, with 2 spines. 

 Ventrals below base of pectorals, with basal scaly process. Vertebra? 

 24-25 (10 + 14-15)*. 



Mediterranean, Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans, several species 

 entering rivers. 



1. CORVINA NIGRITA. 



Cuv. & Val. Hist. Poiss. v. p. 103 (1830) ; Giinth. Cat. Fish. ii. p. 297 (1860), 

 and Ann. & Mag. N. H. (3) xvi. 1865, p. 19 ; Steind. Sitzb. Ak. Wien, lx. i. 

 1869, p. 692, pi. viii. ; Pellegr. Bull. Soc. Philom. (9) ix. 1907, p. 35. 



Corvina clavigera, Cuv. & Val. t. c. p. 101. 



Depth of body 3^ to 3§ times in total length, length of head 3-| to 4 

 times. Snout and nape with convex profile ; snout projecting a little 



Fig. 87. 



Corvina nigrita. 

 Senegal, after Steiudachner (?. c). 3. 



beyond lower jaw, as long as eye (shorter in young); eye 3 (young) to 

 4^ times in length of head, nearly equal to interorbital width ; maxillary 

 extending to below posterior third or posterior border of eye ; head 

 covered with scales, except on the lips. Gill-rakers as long as or a little 



* On the bony swellings sometimes present at the base of the dorsal and anal spines, 

 cf. Giinther, Ann. & Mag. K". H. (3) xvi. 1S65, p. 48. 



