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PART II. 



THE NATURAL ARRANGEMENT OF THE CLASSES OF 

 FISHESj AMPHIBIANS^ AND REPTILES. 



CHAPTER I. 



A STNOPSIS OF THE NATURAL ARRANGEMENT OF FISHES. 



In the following Synopsis I have endeavoured to select 

 the most essential character of each division, from the 

 more detailed arrangement which follows. This was the 

 invariable plan pursued by the great zoologists and bota- 

 nists of the last century; and if it facilitated research in 

 those daysj how much more necessary is it in these, 

 when the genera have become so numerous as frequently 

 to perplex the more experienced naturalist, and always 

 to occasion much trouble. The Orders follow each 

 otner in their circular series, commencing with the 

 AcanthopterygeS) and ending with the Apodes. 



Order I. ACANTHOPTERYGES. 



Dorsal fins with spinous rays. 



Tribe I. MACROLEPTES.— Scales conspicuous, smooth; 

 branchial aperture large. 



Family 1. PERCID^. 

 Fins naked; preopercule serrated; covers spined; form oblong. 



1. Sub- family Percinje. Perches. — Dorsal fins two, dis- 

 tinct; no canines. 



Perca. Linn. Mouth large ; form oblong or fusiform. 



Perca.* Caudal fin lobed or lunate. 

 Lates. Caudal fin rounded. 

 Centropomus. Anal spines very large. 

 Nipkon.f Spines on the gills very large. 

 Lucioperca. Large teeth intermixed with smaller. 



* Including Labrax, f Including Centropomus. 



M 4 



