99 



Inches. 



Length of ventrals If 



Distance of ventrals behind pectorals i-i 



From extremity of lower jaw to ventrals 4f 



to anus 7-g- 



to anal 7f 



From anus to base of anal i 



to extremity of anal 4-1 



Nota. — It would be more exact to say that the two first rays 

 of the second dorsal are not branched, and could be called spines 

 if they were not soft ; the following (third) ray is much longer. 



SCLENIDiE. 



" Body compressed and rather elongate, covered 

 with ctenoid scales. Lateral line continuous, and 

 often continued on the tail. Mouth in front of the 

 snout Eye lateral, of moderate size. Seven 

 branchiostegals. Teeth in villiform bands, with 

 canines in some of the genera ; no molars or tren- 

 chant teeth in the jaws ; no teeth on the palate. 

 Cheek not cuirassed; the opercles not, or feebly, 

 armed. Two dorsal fins, the soft one much more 

 developed than the spinous or the anal ; the spines 

 of the first dorsal generally feeble and elevated. 

 The anal fin with two spines. All the rays of the 

 pectorals branched ; ventrals thoracic, with one 

 spine and five soft rays. The bones of the head 

 with one spine and five soft rays ; the bones of the 

 head with the muciferous system very developed. 

 Stomach csecal ; pyloric appendages in small or 

 moderate number. Air-bladder with branching 



