Berycoidei 257 



sesses the orbitosphenoid bone and is a true berycoid, while 

 the Mullidcc are genuine percoid fishes. 



Four species of Polymixia are recorded from rather deep 

 water: Polymixia nobilis from Madeira, Polymixia lowei from 

 the West Indies, Polymixia berndti from Hawaii, and Poly- 

 mixia japonica from Japan. All are plainly colored, without 

 red. 



The Pine-cone Fishes: Monocentridae. Among the most ex- 

 traordinary of all fishes is the little family of Monocentridce, 

 or pine-cone fishes. Monocentris japonicus, the best-known 

 species, is common on the coasts of Japan. It reaches the 

 length of five inches. The body is covered with a coat of mail, 

 made of rough plates which look as though carelessly put 

 together. The dorsal spines are very strong, and each ventral 

 fin is replaced by a very strong rough spine. The animal fully 

 justifies the remark of its discoverer, Houttuyn (1782), that 

 it is " the most remarkable fish which exists." It is dull golden 

 brown in color, and in movement as sluggish as a trunkfish. 

 A similar species, called knightfish, Monocentris glorice-maris, 

 is found in Australia. No fossils allied to Monocentris are 

 known. 



1117 



