44 
NATURAL HISTORY. [UPPER FLOOR. 
branchiostegous rays. Others ( Cirrhites ) have less than 
seven; and some few ( Holocentrum , Trachichthys) have 
more. The Weavers, or Otter-Pike, ( Trackini ,) and the 
Star-gazer ( Uranoscopus ), have the ventral fins just be¬ 
hind the pectoral. The Paradise Fish ( Polynemus) and the 
Mullet ( Mullus ) have the ventral fins placed on the hinder 
part of the body. 
The Gurnards ( Triglidce) are distinguished from the other 
Percoid Fish, by the bones of the face being very large, so 
as to cover the cheeks. Some of these have the pectoral 
fins so large, that the fish can support themselves for some 
time in the air, and are therefore called Flying Gurnards 
( Dactyloptera ). 
Cases 1 and 2. The Scienoid and the Sparoid Fish 
differ from the Perches, in the palate being without teeth. 
Some of these, as the Sargi ( Sargus ), have large teeth on 
the side of the jaw (Ckrysophrys and Dentex). 
The Msenoid Fish differ from those of the two former 
families, by the jaw's being protractile and retractile. 
The Chaetodons ( Chcetodontince ) are known by their com¬ 
pressed form, and by their dorsal, and often their other fins 
being covered with scales like the rest of the body. The 
teeth are usually very small and numerous, resembling 
bristles, from whence the name. The common Chaetodons 
( Chcetodon ) have their opercular bones finely ciliated, while 
the horny Chaetodons have the lower part of the operculum 
ending in a large spine. These fish are very numerous on 
the rocky shores of the seas of warm climates. They are 
generally beautifully and variously coloured, and good for 
food; many are rejected from prejudice. 
The Sea Bream ( Brama ) has many of the characters of 
the Chaetodons, except that the palate is not toothed. 
The Scomberoid Fish ( Scomberidce ) have a smooth skin 
covered with a multitude of small scales, and a large caudal 
fin. They are much used as food, and afford great employ¬ 
ment to the fishermen. The Mackrel ( Scomber ) has two 
dorsal fins: the hinder rays of the posterior are separated 
from each other, forming, as it were, a series of small fins, as 
in the common Mackrel (Scomber scombus ). Some of the 
species have a ridge of cartilaginous spines on the side of the 
tail. The Sword Fish ( Xiphias ) is very like the Tunny, 
but the front part of its upper jaw is produced into a long 
