Distribution.—All seas, some entering fresh water, and a few inhabiting exclusively the fresh waters of the Arctic regions.
They are divided by Dr. Günther into four groups. The Heterolepidina (comprising 4 genera and 12 species) are confined to the North Pacific. The Scorpænina (23 genera, 113 species) have an almost universal distribution, but the genera are each restricted to one or other of the great oceans. Sebastes has occurred on the English coast. The Cottina (28 genera, 110 species) have also a universal distribution; the numerous species of Cottus are found either in the seas or fresh waters of Europe and North America; four species are British, as well as seven species of the wide-spread genus Trigla. Ptyonotus (1 sp.) is confined to Lake Ontario. The Cataphracti (5 genera, 23 species) have also a wide range; one genus, Agonus, is found in the British seas, and also in Kamschatka and on the coast of Chili. Peristethus is also British.
Family 11.—TRACHINIDÆ (24 Genera, 90 Species.)
"Carnivorous marine fishes, with elongate bodies, living at the bottom, near the shore."
Distribution.—Almost or quite universal.
Trachinus is a British genus. A species of Aphritis inhabits the fresh waters of Tasmania, while its two allies are found on the coasts of Patagonia.
Family 12. SCIÆNIDÆ. (13 Genera, 102 Species.)
"Marine or fresh-water fishes, with compressed and rather elongate bodies, covered with toothed scales."
Distribution.—Temperate and tropical regions, but absent from Australia.
Larimus is found in the Atlantic, and in African and American rivers. Corvina, Sciæna, and Otilothus are also marine and fresh-water, both in the Atlantic and Pacific. The other genera are of small extent and more restricted range. Umbrina and Sciæna have occurred in British seas.