446 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
Genus 202. ARACANA Gray. 
This genus differs from Ostracion in having the carapace 6-angled and open behind the anal fin. The 
species vary in form almost as much as do those of Ostracion. In Aracana proper there are spines 
over the eye, and the abdomen is crested, while in Apoplocapros the back and belly are crested, but no 
spines are present anywhere. 
The single Hawaiian species of this genus is fully described in Section II. 
Aracana Gray, Ann. Nat. Hist., I, 1838, 110 ( auritus ). 
Acerana Kaup, Wiegmann’s Archiv, 1855, 219 (auritus). 
Capropygia Kaup, op. cit. , 220 ( unistriata ). 
Kentocapros Kaup, 1. c. 
Anoplocapros Kaup, op. cit., 221 (grayi). 
Group CIRRHITOIDEI. — The Cirrhitoid Fishes. 
This group agrees with the Percoidea in most respects, the chief external difference being in the 
form of the pectorals, which have broad, procurrent bases, as in the Seoipcmidce, the lower rays being 
unbranched and more or less thickened. Its relations doubtless lie with both Percidx and Scor- 
pxnidx. One family is represented in Hawaiian waters. 
Family LXXXII1. CIRRHITIDT 
Body compressed, oblong, covered with moderate scales, which are cycloid or ctenoid; lateral line 
continuous, concurrent with the back, not extending on caudal; mouth low, terminal, with lateral 
cleft; eye lateral, of moderate size; premaxillaries protractile; maxillary narrow, not sheathed by 
preorbital; teeth small, pointed, occasionally with canines, sometimes present on vomer or palatines; 
cheek without bony suborbital stay; branchiostegals 3 to 6, usually 6; gill-membranes separate, free 
from the isthmus; preopercle serrate or entire; opercle unarmed; no spines or serrations on bones of 
cranium; dorsal tin continuous, long, the spinous and soft parts subequal, the spines not depressible 
in a groove; soft dorsal low; spines rather low and strong; pectoral tin short and broad as in the 
Cottidx; lower half of tin with its rays simple and generally stout; the membranes deeply incised; 
ventral fins thoracic, but considerably behind root of pectorals, the rays I, 5; air-bladder large and 
complicated or wanting; pyloric caeca few; vertebrae 10 + 16 = 26; skull very compact and solid. 
Carnivorous fishes of the warm seas; genera 10; species 40; apparently really allied on the one hand 
to the Serranidx, with which group Dr. Boulenger finds that the skeleton has much in common; on 
the other hand they show affinities with the Scorpxnidx. Through such forms as these the great 
group of Loricati or mail-cheek fishes may be connected with their perch-like ancestors. This family 
is represented in American waters by one genus ( Cirrhitus ) with 2 species, and in the Hawaiian Islands 
by 4 genera and about 7 species. 
a. Dorsal with 18 spines; body greatly elevated anteriorly, the nape trencnant; body greatly compressed 
Cheilodactylus, p. 446 
aa. Dorsal with 10 to 12 spines; body not elevated nor greatly compressed. 
b. Snout long and pointed, 3 in head Cirrhitoidea, p. 447 
bb. Snout not especially long, more than 3 in head. 
e. Teeth on palatines wanting; scales on cheeks as well as on body large Paracirrhites, p. 448 
cc. Teeth on palatines; scales on body large, those on cheeks small Cirrhitus , p. 451 
Genus 203. CHEILODACTYLUS Lacepede. 
Body greatly elevated anteriorly, the anterior profile rising abruptly from occiput to origin of 
dorsal fin; nape trenchant, back very greatly compressed, the body tapering rapidly posteriorly; 
anterior dorsal spines long and strong. Several species, only one known from the Hawaiian Islands. 
Cheilodactylus LaciSpOde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., V, xix, 6, 1803 ( fasciatus ). 
