are quite detached from the bones of the shoulders. The head is long, and the lower jaw projects beyond the upper, giving a ferocious aspect to the countenance, well borne out by the habits and powers of at least the principal genus. They have two dorsals, both placed far behind; the second is small, and in one of the genera (Para-
lepis), fleshy. The Family is very limited, containing only about fifteen living species, inhabiting the Mediterranean and the warmer parts of the ocean. There are, however, thirteen fossil species assigned to it.
Genus Sphyræna.
The technical characters of this genus are, that the body is slender and much lengthened; the jaws are long and broad, but of little depth; the mouth is large, armed with strong teeth, some of which are larger and stouter than the others; the chin is advanced and pointed; the two dorsal fins are triangular in form, remote from each other, and dividing the whole length of the body into three equal parts; the ventrals are placed beneath the first dorsal.
