46 A Guide to the Zoological Collections 



Family IX. Bcrycidce [Case 52]. 



This is one of the most ancient of all the families of 

 Bony-fishes (Teleostei) and was abundantly represented 

 in the seas of the Cretaceous period. It therefore, as 

 might be expected, is less sharply marked off than are its 

 fellows from some of the other suborders of Teleostei : 

 for instance, one genus, Melamphaes, was at first placed 

 near the Physostomous family Scopelidce ; and another 

 genus, Bathyclupea, was at first ranked among the 

 Herrings. Several members of the family, in fact, have 

 the air-bladder connected with the gullet by a pneumatic 

 duct, as in the typical Physostomi. 



The antiquity of the family is also, in all probability, 

 the explanation of the fact that — the family being 

 entirely marine — most of its existing members are con- 

 fined to deep water. 



The family being of exceptional interest, the Indian 

 genera may be noted in detail. 



Genus 1. Monocentris. In this genus, which contains 

 but one species, M. /aponicus, the scales form a bony 

 mail, or carapace, and the ventral fins consist each of a 

 huge spine with a few rudimentary rays. M. japonicus 

 occurs in Japan, in Australian waters, in the Andaman 

 Sea, and off Mauritius. 



Genus 2. HoplostctJius. This genus is only found at 

 depths of about 150 to 400 fathoms. H. Meditcrraneum 

 has a remarkable range, being found off the West Indies 

 and neighbouring coasts of America, in the Atlantic, in 

 the Mediterranean Sea, in the Arabian Sea and Bay of 

 Bengal, and in the Japanese Seas. 



Genus 3. Trachiclithys. T. Darwinii has been found, 

 in deep water, off Madeira, in the Bay of Bengal, and 

 off Japan. 



Genus 4. Batkyclupea. B. Hoskynii is peculiar to the 



