ACTINOPTERI. 181 



Upper surface very delicately fluted. Length about 65 mm. 

 (From Marsh.) 



Marsh thought the fish probably did not exceed 15 inches in 

 total length. 



Formation and locality. Only the type known, described 

 above, from the "Eocene greensand at the pits of the Squankum 

 Marl Company" in Monmouth Co. (O. B. Kinne). [See com- 

 ment on preceding specimens, K.] Not seen by me. 



Family SPARIDyE. 

 THE PORGIES. 



Body oblong or more or less elevated. Head large, crests of 

 skull usually largely developed. Mouth small, terminal, low, 

 horizontal. Premaxillaries little protractile. Maxillary short, 

 peculiar in form and in articulation, without supplemental bone 

 and slipping for most part of its length under preorbital edge, 

 which forms more or less distinct sheath. Preorbital usually 

 broad. Teeth strong, those in front of jaws conical, incisor-like 

 or molar. No vomerine or palatine teeth. Hind nostril larger, 

 usually more or less oblong or slit-like. Preopercle entire or 

 serrate. Opercle without spines. Gill-membranes separate, free 

 from isthmus. Gills 4, large slit behind fourth. Gill-rakers 

 moderate. Pseudobranchise large. Lower pharyngeals separate. 

 Air-vessel present, usually simple. Pyloric cceca few. Vertebrae 

 usually 24. Intestinal canal short. No suborbital stay. Body 

 covered with rather large adherent scales, never truly ctenoid. 

 Head sides usually scaly. Lateral line well developed, concurrent 

 with back, not extending on caudal. Dorsal fin single, continuous 

 or deeply notched, spines usually strong and depressible in a 

 groove. Dorsal spines heteracanthous, 10 to 13. Anal rather 

 short, similar to rayed dorsal, spines 3. Caudal usually concave. 

 Ventrals I, 5, thoracic, usually with distinct scale-like basal ap- 

 pendage. 



The recent genera, about 12, carnivorous shore fishes of tropical 

 seas, most valued as food. Fossils have also been referred to 

 some of these as well as about eight others. 



