Alilmiii^li this \ariely !•> almost always called japaiifSf in furt-ign writings, as a matter of 

 tact it was developeil in China and w■a^ unknow'n in japan nntii the close of the war with China 

 (1894-5). The ja])anese ha\e. however, improved on the original importation. The variety 

 doubtless came into existence at a comparatively early <late, and has undergone much modification 

 of form anil C(ilor in China. 



The special feature of this \ariety is the lateral protrusion of the large eyeballs. The extent 

 of the ]>rolrusion dilTers in dififerent types or individuals, in some being verv slight, in others 

 strongly marked. The age of the fish nKidilies the condition; when first hatched and for about a 

 year thereafter, the eyes are normal in size and position, but in the further course of growth the 

 protrusion gradually de\elops. Sometimes e\en in full-grown Fish onl_\' one eye protrudes, the other 

 being normal. 



The body is rather short, the back is ele\ated and the \entral outline much decurved ; the head 

 is broad, and the snout is rounded and \ery short. As originally introduced from China, the 

 demekin had a short caudal fin. but the Japanese have given it a long, flowing caudal, and ha\e 

 improxed the fish in se\eral other minor particulars. The anal is double, and it and all the other 

 fins are long. 



The demekin rarely sliows a Iirilliant coloration. The usual colors are a uniform black, or a 

 pale red or ])ale reddish-yellow with small black spots or irregular black areas; in the variegated 

 form the fins may be reddish, blackish, or blackish with pale red or orange base. Sometimes, 

 especially in fish of pure Chinese breed, there may be three or four irregularly distributed or 

 mottled colors in a single fish. 



36 



