SCORP/ENOIDS. 
35 1 
. . , In the group with toothless vomers, one of the most notable 
genera is that of the long-fins ( Chilodactylus ), so named on account 
of the elongation of one of the rays of the pectoral fins, which projects to a greater 
or less degree beyond the rest. A considerable number of species have been 
described, most of which are inhabitants of the temperate region of the South 
Pacific, although some are found round the coasts of Japan and China. The 
species here figured (G. macropterus) is an Australian one; and both in Australia 
and at the Cape these fishes form a valuable food-supply, since they attain a weight 
of from 5 to 25 lbs., and are easily captured. An allied genus ( Latris ), dis¬ 
tinguished by the absence of any elongation of the pectoral rays and the deeply 
notched dorsal, is well known in Tasmania and New Zealand in the person of the 
trumpeter-fish ( L. neccitia), which claims the first place among the fish-products 
of those colonies, ranging in weight from 30 to 60 lbs., and being at the same time 
most excellently flavoured. 
The Scorp.exoids, —Family GgoiiPjENIDjE. 
With this family we come to a group easily distinguished from all the 
preceding representatives of this section by the articulation of the preopercular 
bone with the orbit by means of a projecting process from the infraorbital 
ring. Some of the other bones of the head are also armed, and the dentition 
is but feebly developed. These fishes, which are represented by a large number 
of genera, are found in most seas, and are all carnivorous in their habits. Dr. 
Gunther writes that “ some resemble the sea-perches in their form and habits, as 
Sebcistes, Scorpcena, etc., whilst others live at the bottom of the sea, and possess 
in various degrees of development those skinny appendages resembling the fronds 
of sea-weeds, by which they either attract other fishes, or b}^ which they are 
enabled more effectually to hide themselves. Species provided with these 
appendages have generally a coloration resembling that of their surroundings, and 
varying with the change of locality. Some of the genera live at a considerable 
depth, but apparently not beyond three hundred fathoms. Nearly all are 
distinguished by a powerful armature, either of the head, or fin-spines, or both; 
and in some the spines have been developed into poison-organs.” The group is 
scarcely known in a fossil state, although remains of a species of the typical genus 
occur in the Eocene of Algeria. 
The family is divided into two sections, according as to whether there are 
distinct scales on the body, or whether these are rudimentary or wanting. In the 
former are included Sebastes and the typical Scorpcenct. Most curious of all are 
the members of the Tropical Indo-Pacific genus Pterois, in which the spines of the 
dorsal and the rays of the pectoral fins are more or less produced,—so much so, 
indeed, that in the case of one species, at least, P. volitans, it was formerly thought 
that they indicated the possession of flying powers in their owner. The fins and 
body of this extraordinary-looking fish are most beautifully marked with alter¬ 
nating light and dark transverse bands. Among the genera with small or 
ruclimental scales we have only space to mention the Oriental Pelor and Cliori- 
dactylus, each represented only by a single species of 4 or 5 inches in length; and 
