The sheepshead, _Archosargus probatocephalus_, is much the most valuable fish of this group. The broad body is crossed by about seven black cross-bands. It is common from Cape Cod to Texas in sandy bays, reaching rarely a weight of fifteen pounds. Its flesh is most excellent, rich and tender. The sheepshead is a quiet bottom-fish, but takes the hook readily and with some spirit. Close to the sheepshead is a smaller species known as Salema (_Archosargus unimaculatus_), with blue and golden stripes and a black spot at the shoulder. It abounds in the West Indies. [Illustration: FIG. 285.—_Archosargus unimaculatus_ (Bloch), Salema, Striped Sheepshead. Family _Sparidæ_. ] On the coast of Japan and throughout Polynesia are numerous species of _Lethrinus_ and related genera, formed and colored like snappers, but with molar teeth and the cheek without scales. A common species in Japan is _Lethrinus richardsoni_. Fossil species of _Diplodus_, _Sparus_, _Pagrus_, and _Pagellus_ occur in the Italian Eocene, as also certain extinct genera, _Sparnodus_ and _Trigonodon_, of similar type. _Sparnodus macrophthalmus_ is abundant in the Eocene of Monte Bolca. =The Picarels: Mænidæ.=—The _Mænidæ_, or _Picarels_, are elongate, gracefully formed fishes, remarkable for the extreme protractility of the upper jaw. _Spicara smaris_ and several other small species are found in the Mediterranean. _Emmelichthys_ contains species of larger size occurring in the West Indies and various parts of the Pacific, chiefly red and very graceful in form and color. _Emmelichthys vittatus_, the boga, is occasionally taken in Cuba, _Erythrichthys schlegeli_ is found in Japan and Hawaii. [Illustration: FIG. 286.—Mojarra, _Xystæma cinereum_ (Walbaum). Key West. ]