articulating with the upper surface of the pleu- 
ral ribs from the 3rd vertebra on (Fig. 4a, b) . 
In Crystallodytes there is only one set of ribs 
which starts with the 1st vertebra; this set 
would appear to represent the epipleurals. In 
Hypoptychus, there is also only one series of 
ribs, but it starts from the 3rd vertebra and 
would appear to represent the pleural series. 
DISCUSSION 
On the basis of osteological characters, Par- 
apercis, Crystallodytes , Tripterygion, and the 
three ammodytoids could be grouped in a num- 
ber of ways. One such system would separate 
the more elongate forms, i.e., Crystallodytes and 
the ammodytoids, from the shorter, stockier 
Parapercis and Tripterygion. Such a division 
could be expressed osteologically as follows. 
Parapercis and Tripterygion. Premaxillary 
pedicels stout, firmly fused to the toothed por- 
tions. Wings of the parasphenoid expanded, 
forming the lower portion of the postorbital 
bar. The abdominal portion of the vertebral 
column shorter than the caudal portion, consist- 
ing of 10 vertebrae. Dorsal with an anterior 
spinous portion which commences over or ahead 
of the 3rd vertebra. Last dorsal and anal rays 
cleft to their bases. Pterygiophores of the dor- 
sal and anal rays deeply interdigitating between 
successive neural and hemal spines, respectively. 
Crystallodytes and the ammodytoids. Pre- 
maxillary pedicels long and/or movably articu- 
lated with their lateral portions. Wings of the 
parasphenoid little developed, not extending 
up as a portion of the postorbital bar (Fig. 3c). 
The abdominal portion of the vertebral column 
longer than the caudal portion, of more than 
10 vertebrae. No spinous dorsal, the soft dorsal 
commencing over or behind the 5th vertebra. 
Last dorsal and anal rays undivided. Pterygio- 
phores of the dorsal and anal rays interdigitat- 
ing little or not at all between the neural and 
hemal spines, respectively. 
To group the fishes under consideration in 
Fig. 8. Pelvic girdles, from above, of a, Caranx 
ignobilis; b, Parapercis schauinslandi; c, Tripterygion 
atriceps; and d, Crystallodytes cookei. The pelvic rays 
are not indicated in a. cl, Cleithrum; pg, pelvic girdle; 
and py, pelvic ray. 
