252 Berycoidei 



are yet known as fossils from North America. Sphenocephalus, 

 with four anal spines, is found in the chalk, as are also species 

 of Acrogaster and Pycnosterinx, these being the earliest of fishes 

 with distinctly spiny fins. 



The Trachichthyidcs are deep-sea fishes with short bodies, 

 cavernous skulls, and rough scales. The dorsal is short, with 

 a few spines in front. The suborbitals are very broad, often 

 covering the cheeks, and the anal fin is shorter than the dorsal, 

 a character which separates these fishes from the Berycida, in 



FIG. 200. Hoplopteryx lewesiensis (Man tell), restored. English Cretaceous 

 Family Berycidce. (After Woodward.) 



which group the anal fin is very long. The belly has often 

 a serrated edge, and the coloration is red or black, the black 

 species being softer in body and living in deeper water. Species 

 of Hoplostethus, notably Hoplostethus mediterraneus, are found 

 in most seas at a considerable depth. Trachichthys, a genus 

 scarcely distinguishable from. Hoplostethus, is found in various 

 seas. The genus Paratrachichthys is remarkable for the anterior 

 position of the vent, much as in Aphredoderus . Species occur 

 in Japan and Australia. Gephyroberyx, with the dorsal fin 

 notched, is known from Japan (G. japonicus) and Madeira (G. 

 darwini) . 



We may also refer to the Trachichikyida certain species 

 of still deeper waters, black in color and still softer in texture, 

 with smaller scales which are often peculiar in form. These 

 constitute the genera Caulo/epis, Anoplogaster, Alelampkaes, 



