Squamipinnes.

Body compressed and elevated, covered with scales, which are sometimes exceedingly finely ciliated, and sometimes smooth. Lateral line continuous, not continued on the caudal fin. Mouth in front of the snout generally small, with lateral cleft. Eye lateral, of moderate size. Six or seven branchiostegals. Dentition formed by villiform or setiform bands, without canines or incisors; some of the genera with teeth on the palate. Dorsal fin formed by a spinous and soft portion of nearly equal development; anal with three or four spines, similarly developed as the soft dorsal, and both many-rayed. The vertical fins more or less densely covered with small scales; the spinous portions sometimes not scaly. The lower rays of the pectorals branched; ventrals page 69 thoracic, with one spine and five soft rays. Stomach cæcal; pyloric appendages in moderate number; intestines generally with many convolutions. Air-bladder present, more or less simple. Pseudobranchia) well developed.

Mostly carnivorous fishes, inhabiting the seas between the Tropics, especially of the Indian region; a few entering rivers or spreading beyond the Tropics.

Chætodon sexfasciatus. Port Jackson. West coast.

Chelmo rostaratus. West coast.

——marginalis. Ditto.

Heniochus macrolepidotus. North coast.

Holacanthus semicirculatus. Ditto.

Scatophagus multifasciatus. Port Jackson.