CA'RANX, a genus of Acanthopterygious Fishes, und belonging to the family Scomberidir. This genus is distinguished chiefly by the lateral line of the body being furnished with a series of scaly plates These plates are horizontally keeled (especially on the posterior half of the body), and frequently terminate in a spine or an angular pro jection, the point of which is directed backwards. The remainder of the body is covered with small scales. There are two distinct dorsa fins; the last rays of the posterior one are sometimes but slightly con nected by membrane, or separated into spurious fins. Some freo spines are placed before the anal fin. The teeth are very minute.
Several species of this genus inhabit the sena of Europe, but we are aware of only ono which has occurred off the British coast, the Carona traders& This fish, well known by the mune of the Scad or Horse-Mackerel. is frequently met with on various parts of the coasts both of England and Ireland, and at times occurs in such immense shoals that the whole sea as far as the eye can reach appears alive with them. The Send is about the size of the mackerel, to which it comes near in affinity. The body is more even in width (that is, leas tapering towards the head and tail), and is of a dusky olive-colour above, exhibiting in certain lights splendid hues of blue and green ; the lower part of the body is silvery-white, with the exception of the throat, which is black ; there is also a black spot just above the pectoral fin. This species, like many others found on our own coasts,
occurs also on those of the Mediterranean. In some of the species of the genus Carona the scaly plates are observable only on the posterior half of the lateral line, and the anterior part is furnished with small scales.
C. punctatus of Curler has but a single spurious dorsal and anal fin, whilst the C. Rotleri (Somber Rotltri of Bloch) has severaL &ember dentus (Bloch), and one or two other species now included in this genus, are remarkable for having a single range of teeth and the body of a more elevated form.
C. Carangua (Scomber Carangua of Bloch), a large species of' this genus from the Antilles, weighing from 201bs. to 251bs., is of a silvery hue, and has a black spot on the operculum ; the body is com pressed, and of a somewhat ovate form ; the head is obtusely tenni nated. This fish is good eating, whilst the Bastard Carangue (C. Guaraterebra), another which closely resembles it, but wants the black spot, is apt to prove poisonous.