45
ZOOLOGICAL
OPHIOCEPHALIDJE (Serpent-Heads). Plate 24, Map ii.
The distribution of this family is very similar to that of the previous one, although ranging further north in Asia, and being more restricted in Africa. They are all fresh-water forms, and of carnivorous habits. Over 30 species have been described, of which only three occur in Africa.
STROMATEIDiE (Butter-Fishes). Plate 24, Map ii.
These fishes have a wide distribution, occurring in all tropical and temperate seas. Between 40 and 50 species have been described, the best-known of which are the so-called Black Pish (Gentrolophus niger) and the Rudder-Fish (Lirus percijormis), both of which are occasionally caught off the British coast. A Mediterranean species, Stromateus fiatola, called the “fiatola” by Italian fishermen, is much esteemed for its qualities as food.
SPHYRiENIDA¡ (Barracudas). Plate 24, Map ii.
About 20 species, belonging to a single genus (Sphyriena) are referred to this family. They inhabit nearly all tropical and temperate seas, and are often found also in estuaries. Attaining a large size (sometimes eight feet) they are justly feared by the bather, for they are reported to be of pugnacious habits, and more dangerous than many sharks. They are sometimes eaten, but at certain seasons are said to be poisonous.
POLYNEMID7E (Threadfins). Plate 24, Map ii.
These fishes, which are remarkable for the curious tactile appendages forming part of the pectoral fin, are inhabitants of the shores of all tropical and subtropical seas, sometimes ascending the mouths of rivers. Three genera have been described, with about 25 species. Certain East-Indian species yield a sort of isinglass, while their flesh is much esteemed.
MUGILID2E (Grey Mullets). Plate 24, Map iii.
This family contains about 100 species, most of which have a high value as food. They occur on the coasts of all temperate and tropical regions, and many species inhabit fresh water. Three species occur in British seas, the best-known of which is the Common Grey Mullet (Mugil capito). This species has a remarkably wide distribution, ranging from the Cape of Good Hope northwards to Scandinavia.
ATHERINIDiE (Sand-Smelts, &c.). Plate 24, Map iii.
The fishes of this family are mostly small creatures, yet in spite of this fact are much valued for food. They occur on the coasts of nearly all temperate and tropical regions, two species being inhabitants of British waters. Some forms are found in fresh water, and all are of carnivorous habits. About 65 species have been described, which have been relegated to about a dozen different genera.
AMMODYTIDJE (Sand-Eels). Plate 24, Map iii.
This is a small family, containing only two genera and nine species. They are confined to the coasts of the Northern Hemisphere, and are very common on the sandy shores of Europe and North America. Two species, the Greater Sand-Eel (Ammodytes lanceolatus) and the Lesser Sand-Eel (A. tobianus) are common on British coasts.
SCOMBRESOCIDiE (Gar-Pike, Flying-Fish, &c.). Plate 24, Map iii.
The Scombresocidse are an extensive group, comprising over 200 species, and occurring in all temperate and tropical seas. Three or four species are found in British waters, the best-known of which is the so-called Gar-Pike or Gar-Fish (Belone vulgaris), a common inhabitant of our coasts. The most interesting members of the family are, however, the Flying-Fishes of the genus Exoccetus. These remarkable fishes are well-known to every ocean-traveller, and some 40 or 50 species have been described. Exoccetus volitans is a small form, and has occasionally occurred as a straggler off the British coast.
PEGASID2E (Dragon-Fishes). Plate 24, Map iii.
The Dragon-Fishes, of which some half-dozen species are known, are curious little creatures inhabiting the seas of India, China, Japan, the Malay Archipelago, and Australia. They are small fishes, and little appears to be known of their habits. Pegasus volans is probably the most familiar member of the family.
SYNGNATHIDiE (Pipe-Fishes, &c.). Plate 24, Map iv.
The curious elongated fishes of this family are found in the seas of practically the whole world. About 175 species have been described, some of which are remarkable for their extraordinary appearance. Seven species are recorded from British coasts, including three forms of Pipe-Fish (genera Siphonostoma and Syngnaihus) and the interesting little Sea-Horse [Hippocampus hippocampus), the latter, however, being a rare wanderer from more southern seas. The members of the Australian genus Phyllopteryx are remarkable for the possession of a number of dermal appendages, which resemble very closely the seaweeds among which these fishes live, and hence serve as an effectual means of concealment.
CENTRISCIDzE (Trumpet-Fishes, &c.). Plate 24, Map iv.
This family consists of eight or nine species which occur pretty widely in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans. The Common Snipe-Fish (Centriscus scolopax) occasionally wanders as far as the south coast of Britain, occurring also in the Mediterranean. The Needle-Fishes of the genus Amphisile, which occur in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, are sometimes placed in a separate family.
HOPLOGNATHIDiE (Knife-Jawed Fishes). Plate 23, Map v.
This group contains only a single genus (Hoplognathus) with four species. These occur on the coasts of Australia, Japan and Peru.
CEPOLIDiE (Band-Fishes). Plate 23, Map vi.
This family is a small one, containing only 10 species, which are found in scattered localities in various seas. Only two genera are recognised, the typical one (Cepola) containing the only British representative of the family, viz., the Red Band-Fish (C. rubescens). This species ranges from British coasts, where it is only casual, to the Mediterranean, where it is quite common.
SERRANIDiE (Sea Perches, &c.). Plate 23, Map vi.
The Serranidse are an extensive group, comprising a large number of genera and between 500 and 600 species. They have a world-wide distribution, and most of the species are marine. Britain claims four different forms, the best-known and most abundant of which is that known as the Bass (Morone labrax). The Stone-Bass (Polyprion cernium) is another, but somewhat uncommon, British species, well known for its excellent qualities as food. Many of the exotic species of Serranidse are highly valued in various countries for the same reason.
PERCIDiE (Fresh-Water Perches). Plate 23, Map vi.
The species of this family, about 90 in number, are entirely confined to the fresh waters of the Nearctic and Palsearctic regions. The so-called Pike-Perches (Lucioperca) are among the larger and more important fishes included here. They inhabit the lakes and rivers of Eastern Europe, Western Asia, and Eastern-north America, and are much esteemed as food. Two species of Percidse occur in Britain, viz., the Common Perch (Perea fluviatilis), and the Ruffe or Pope (Acerina cernua).
NANDIDiE (Nandus, &c.). Plate 23, Map vi.
This is a purely fresh-water family, containing six genera and 14 species. Two genera occur widely in South America, three in South-eastern Asia, and one in a restricted area at the mouth of the River Niger, in West Africa. All the members of this family possess carnivorous habits.
CENTRARCHIDiE (Black Bass, &c.). Plate 24, Map i.
This family, which contains about 30 species, is specially characteristic of the United States of America, where some of the forms are particularly abundant. They are essentially fresh-water fishes, but a few are found in brackish water. In America they are collectively known as “Sun-Fishes,” but must not be confounded with the members of the family Molidse, which bear the same popular name. The fishes known as Black Bass (Micropterus) are excellent eating, and have been introduced into the streams of Europe. The family is also represented in South Africa, Madagascar, the East Indies, Australia and Polynesia.
BERYCIDiE (Slime-Heads). Plate 24, Map i.
Over 70 species belonging to this family have been described, and these occur all over the world, principally in deep water. They owe their somewhat repellent popular name to the fact that the head is furnished with a number of cavities, filled with mucus and covered over with skin. Members of the typical genus Beryx have been taken from a depth of over 300 fathoms; some of them are valued as food. A species of this family (Traahichthys trachichthys) has recently been discovered in deep water off the west coast of Ireland.
GADIDiE (Codfishes). Plate 24, Map i.
This is a large family, of much importance from an economic point of view. About 120 species are known, and these inhabit chiefly the seas of the Northern Hemisphere, while a few forms live exclusively in fresh water. The British fauna comprises about 20 species, some of which are among the most valuable of fishes for the table. The Cod, Haddock, Whiting, Pollack, and Coal-Fish are all members of the typical genus Gadus, and more or less abundant off our coasts; while the Hake (Merluccius vulgaris), Ling (Molva molva), and five species of Rockling (Motella), are well-known British representatives. The best-known fresh-water member of the family is the Burbot or Eel-Pout (Lota lota), which occurs locally in England, in Northern and Central Europe and Siberia, and in North America.
MACRURIDjE (Long-Tails). Plate 24, Map i.
This family is closely allied to the Gadidse, and contains about the same number of species (120). They are essentially fishes of the deep sea, occurring to a depth of 2650 fathoms. The various forms are found in all seas, and are remarkable for the shape of the tail, which is long and pointed (whence the popular name) and devoid of an expanded fin. One species has occasionally occurred in British seas.
ANABANTIDAl (Climbing Perches). Plate 24, Map ii.
These remarkable fishes inhabit fresh waters and estuaries in the Ethiopian and Oriental regions, and include about 15 species, 11 of which are confined to Africa. They owe their English name to their wonderful power of ascending trees, sometimes to a height of several feet. The ascent is accomplished by means of the spines on the gill-covers and ventral fins.