SPINY-FINNED GROUP. 
568 
Coryphsenas. 
CORYPHiENA. 
characterised by the absence of pelvic tins in the adult; the dorsal and anal fins 
being long, with their points curving backwards in several of the species, and 
the caudal deeply forked. In habits these fishes are partly pelagic. 
The second of the two families is represented typically by the 
well-known pelagic corypluenas (Coryphcenct), popularly miscalled 
dolphins. As a family, the Coryphcenidce are readily distinguished from the 
StromateidcG by the absence of tooth-like processes in the oesophagus. In the 
typical genus the body is somewhat elongated and compressed, the adults having 
an elevated crest on the top of the head; and the cleft of the mouth is wide. 
The single dorsal fin extends in a nearly straight line from the back of the head 
almost to the deeply-forked caudal; the anal resembles the dorsal in having no 
distinct spinous portion; and the well-developed pelvic fins are thoracic in position, 
and can be received in a groove in the abdomen. Teeth are present in the jaws, 
as well as on the 
vomer, palatines, and 
tongue; the cycloid 
scales are small; and 
there is no air- 
bladder. The cory¬ 
phsenas, of which 
there are some half- 
dozen species, are 
purely pelagic fishes, ranging over all temperate and tropical seas, and remarkable 
for the beauty of their fleeting colours. Dr. Gunther observes that so “ far as the 
colours are capable of description, those of the common species ( 0. hippurus), which 
is often seen in the Mediterranean, are silvery blue above, with markings of a 
deeper azure, and reflections of pure gold, the lower-parts being lemon-yellow, 
marked with pale blue. The pectoral tins are partly lead colour, partly yellow; 
the anal is yellow, the iris of the eye golden. These iridescent colours change 
rapidly whilst the fish is dying, as in the mackerel. The form of the body, and 
especially of the head, changes considerably witli age. Very young specimens, 
from 1 to 6 inches in length, are abundant in the open sea, and frequently 
obtained in the tow-net. Their body is cylindrical, their head as broad as high, 
and the eye relatively very large, much longer than the snout. As the fish grows 
the body is more compressed, and finally a high crest is developed on the head, 
and the anterior part of the dorsal fin attains a height equal to that of the body.” 
This species ranges over all tropical seas, and attains a length of from 5 to 6 feet; 
although its flesh is unpalatable to Europeans, it is eaten by the natives of 
Madras. Powerful swimmers, and associating in large shoals, corypluenas are 
determined enemies to flying-fish, pursuing them as they skim from wave to wave, 
and capturing them as they again fall into the water. 
As an example of genera in which the body is much compressed, 
short, and deep, we may select the sun-fish (Lampris Inna), of the 
North Atlantic and Mediterranean, the sole representative of its genus. The 
body is covered with very small deciduous scales, the mouth has a narrow cleft, 
and is devoid of teeth, the dorsal has its anterior portion elevated into a narrow 
Sun-Fish. 
