203 
DENTEX, 
CtTviER places tliis genus within his family of Sparoicles _ or Sea 
Bream-like Fishes, which he divides into generic sections, principally 
according to the situation or structure of their tooth; a ground of 
division which might appear slight it it were not that the number 
of species in this family is so great, that confusion must follow if 
some means of separation wore not adopted by which sections of them 
could be kept distinct. The generality of naturalists have been con- 
tent to follow Cuvier in this airangement, and the appearance of the 
onlr' species we know soemed to warrant it; but JDr. Gunther, in his 
“Catalogue of the Fishes of the British Museum,” has placed the 
genus far away from those with which it had been associated, so that 
even the Surmullets are permitted to stand between. Without 
attempting to pronounce an opinion on this last arrangement, regarded 
in the light of a connection or separation of aflSnitics, we are con- 
tent to follow it for a species which is the only one we have of the 
genus, and which can only be considered a stranger on our shores. 
According to Cuvier the genus Dentex is characteriiied hy having 
conical teeth, even on the sides of the jaws, and generally in one 
range; and those immediately in front are lengthened into large hooks. 
The cheeks have scales; the edge of the iirst gill-cover even, or 
without notches. 
DENTEX. 
Four-toothed Spams, 
II “ 
Spams dentex, 
Dentex vulgaris, 
II II 
Spare dente, 
« il 
Jo^’STOJ^; Article 6. 
WiLLonGnnr ; p. 312, tab. v. 3, 
Dentex, Synodon, Synagris. 
LiNsasus. Dosovajj; pi. 73. 
Ouvina. Jkntns; Manual, p. 357. 
Taekeli,; Br. Fishes, vol. i, p. 127. 
Lacepede. Risso; p. 251, and Dentex cetti. ^ 
Gusthee’s Cat. of Br. Museum, vol. i, p. 366. 
This fish is well known through the whole length of the 
Mediterranean, and is distingrtished for its large size as com- 
pared with others with which it has been usual to associate it; 
as well as by its rapid growth, and eagerness in pursuit of 
prey, to which its long and formidable teeth render it a 
