The species of _Cichla_, especially _Cichla ocellaris_, of the rivers of South America, elongate and large-mouthed, bear a strong analogy to the black bass of farther north. A vast number of species belonging to _Heros_, _Acara_, _Cichlasoma_, _Geophagus_, _Chætobranchus_, and related genera swarm in the Amazon region. Each of the large rivers of Mexico has one or more species; one of these, _Heros cyanoguttatus_, occurs in the Rio Grande and the rivers of southern Texas, its range corresponding with that of _Tetragonopterus argentatus_, just as the range of the whole family of _Cichlidæ_ corresponds with that of the _Characinidæ_. No other species of either family enters the United States. A similar species, _Heros tetracanthus_, abounds in the rivers of Cuba, and another, _Heros beani_, called the mojarra verde, in the streams of Sinaloa. In the lakes and swamps of Central America _Cichlidæ_ and _Characinidæ_ are very abundant. One fossil genus is known, called _Priscacara_ by Cope. _Priscacara clivosa_ and other species occur in the Eocene of Green River and the Great Basin of Utah. In this genus vomerine teeth are said to be present, and there are three anal spines. None of the living _Cichlidæ_ have vomerine teeth. [Illustration: FIG. 313.—Garibaldi (scarlet in color), _Hypsypops rubicunda_ (Girard). La Jolla, San Diego, Cal. ] [Illustration: FIG. 314.—_Pomacentrus leucostictus_ (Müller & Troschel), Damsel-fish. Family _Pomacentridæ_. ] =The Damsel-fishes: Pomacentridæ.=—The _Pomacentridæ_, called rock-pilots or damsel-fishes, are exclusively marine and have in all cases but two anal spines. The species are often very brilliantly colored, lustrous metallic blue and orange or scarlet being the prevailing shades among the bright-colored species. Their habits in the reef pools correspond very closely with those of the _Chætodontidæ_. With the rock-pilots, as with the butterfly-fishes, the exceeding alertness and quickness of movement make up for lack of protective colors. With both groups the choice of rocky basins, crevices in the coral, and holes in coral reefs preserves them from attacks of enemies large enough to destroy them. In Samoa the interstices in masses of living coral are often filled with these gorgeous little fishes. The _Pomacentridæ_ are chiefly confined to the coral reefs, few ranging to the northward of the Tropic of Cancer. Sometimes the young are colored differently from the adult, having sky-blue spots and often ocelli on the fins, which disappear with age. But one species _Chromis chromis_, is found in the Mediterranean. _Chromis punctipinnis_, the blacksmith, is found in southern California, and _Chromis notatus_ is the common dogoro of Japan. One of the largest species, reaching the length of a foot, is the Garibaldi, _Hypsypops rubicundus_, of the rocky shores of southern California. This fish, when full grown, is of a pure bright scarlet. The young are greenish, marked with blue spots. Species of