Abundantly represented in Eocene and Miocene beds by remains of Sargus, Sparus, Pagrus, Pagellus, and by the extinct genera Ctenodentex, Sparnodus, and Trigonodon. Some species grow to a length of three feet, such as the "Sheep's-Head" of North America, one of the best salt-water fishes of the United States, and the "Schnapper" (Sparus unicolor), of Australia, also much esteemed. Some of the Atlantic and Mediterranean species of Box, Sargus, Charax, Sparus, and Pagellus are known to be normally, or at least very frequently, hermaphrodite.
Fig. 406.—Gilt-head Sea-Bream (Pagrus auratus). A, its dentition. (After Cuvier and Valenciennes.)
Fam. 24. Mullidae.—The "Red Mullets" are very nearly related to the Sparidae, with which they agree in the structure of the vertebral column and the presence of a subocular shelf. They differ in the very weak dentition, the presence of a pair of hyoid barbels, the reduced number (4) of branchiostegal rays, and the double perforation of the scapula. Two short dorsal fins, remote from each other, the anterior with weak spines.
Small marine and brackish-water fishes, feeding on animalcules and decomposing matter; inhabitants of nearly all the tropical seas and extending to Northern Europe. About 50 species are known, referred to 5 genera: Upeneoides, Upeneichthys, Mullus, Mulloides, and Upeneus.
The British species are Mullus barbatus and M. surmuletus, remarkable for their beautiful pink or red colour, and much valued on the market, although no longer held in the high estimation for which they were noted by the Romans.
Fig. 407.—Scapular arch of Mullus surmuletus. cl, Clavicle; cor, coracoid; pt, pterygials; ptcl, post-clavicle; pte, post-temporal; sc, scapula; scl, supra-scapula.
Fam. 25. Scorpididae.—Second suborbital with an internal lamina supporting the globe of the eye; entopterygoid present; palate toothed. Ribs sessile, behind the parapophyses when these are present. Two nostrils on each side. Gill-membranes free from isthmus; 7 branchiostegal rays; gills 4, a slit behind the fourth; pseudobranchiae present. Lower pharyngeal bones separate. Ventral fins, if present, with 1 spine and 5 soft rays.
This family embraces 12 species from the coasts of Africa, Southern Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, referable to 5 genera: Scorpis, Atypichthys, Atyposoma, Henoplosus, Psettus. The fish here figured (Psettus sebae, Fig. 408) is remarkable for the excessive depth of the body, which is greater than in any other species.