115 



CAEANGIDiE. 



" Body generally compressed, oblong, or elevated ; 

 covered with small scales or naked; eye lateral. 

 Dentition variable. The infraorbital bones do not 

 articulate with the prseoperculum. The spinous 

 dorsal less developed than the soft or than the anal, 

 either continuous with, or separated from, the soft 

 portion, sometimes rudimentary. The posterior rays 

 of the dorsal and anal fins sometimes semi-detached. 

 Ventrals thoracic, sometimes rudimentary or entirely 

 absent. No prominent papilla near the vent. Gill- 

 opening wide ; generally seven branchiostegals and 

 pseudobranchise. Air-bladder present ; pyloric ap- 

 pendages generally in great number. 



" Inhabitants of the seas of the temperate and 



tropical regions, many of the species having a very 



wide range." 



Having followed the method of Dr. G-unther, I separate this 

 family from Scombridot, but I think the two ought to be united, 

 as their only character is anatomic, and consists in the number of 

 the vertebra ; the family of Scombridce would then remain as 

 it was established by Cuvier, with the exception of the Trichiuridce, 

 which form a most natural group. 



SEEIOLA. 



The fish belonging to this genus are generally inhabitants of 

 the tropical seas ; but one sort is found in the Mediterranean, 

 and one also on the eastern coast of Australia (Grigas, Gunlh.) 

 The following seems distinct : — 



SEEIOLA GEANDIS. 



(The Yellow Tail.) 

 This remarkable sort plays a conspicuous figure in the Mel- 

 bourne Market, particularly during the hottest months of the 



