37 2 



Labyrinthici and Holconoti 



opening of which is partly closed by a fold of the mucous mem- 

 brane." 



Ophicephalus striatus is the most widely diffused species in 

 China, India, and the Philippines, living in grassy swamps and 

 biting at any bait from a live frog to an artificial salmon-fly. 

 It has been introduced into Hawaii. Ophicephalus marnliiis 

 is another very common species, as is also Channa oricntalis, 

 known by the absence of ventral fins. 



Suborder Holconoti, the Surf-fishes. Another offshoot from the 

 perch-like forms is the small suborder of Holconoti (6'A/cos, furrow ; 

 vcSrob, back) . It contains fishes percoid in appearance, with much 

 in common with the Gerrida and Sparidce, but with certain 



FIG. 306. White Surf-fish, viviparous, with young, Cymatogaster aggregatus Gibbons. 



San Francisco. 



striking characteristics not possessed by any perch or bass. All the 

 species are viviparous, bringing forth their young alive, these being 

 in small number and born at an advanced stage of development. 

 The lower pharyngeals are solidly united, as in the Labrida, 

 a group which these fishes resemble in scarcely any other respects. 

 The soft dorsal and anal are formed of many fine rays, the 

 anal being peculiarly modified in the male sex. The nostrils, 

 ventral fins, and shoulder-girdle have the structure normal 

 among perch-like fishes, and the dorsal furrow, which sug- 

 gested to Agassiz the name of Holconoti, is also found among 

 various perch-like forms. 



