CENTKISCID^. 509 



structure of the mouth and snout as the Pistulariida?, but 

 combine with it peculiarities of the shape of body, of the 

 structure of the vertical fins, and of the relations between 

 endo- and exo-skeleton, which render them altogether a 

 singular and interesting type. Amphisile has been found in 

 a fossil state at Monte Bolca. 



Centriscus. — Body oblong or elevated, compressed, covered 

 with small rough scales ; lateral line none ; some bony strips on 

 the side of the back, and on the margin of the thorax and 

 abdomen ; the former, in one species, are confluent and form a 

 shield. Teeth none. Two dorsal fins, the first Avith one of the 

 spines very strong. Ventral fins small, abdominal, composed of 

 five soft rays. Four branchiostegals. 



Of the four species the most generally known is O. 

 scolopax, the " Trumpet-fish " or " Bellows-fish," which rarely 

 occurs on the south coast of England, is more common farther 



Fig. 231. — Centriscus liunierosus. 



south, and reappears in Tasmania. The allied C gracilis is 

 one of the fishes common to the Mediterranean and Japanese 

 Seas. The species figured, C. humcrosus, occurs on the coast 

 of South Australia, and is very scarce. 



Amphisile. — Body elongate, strongly compressed, provided 

 with a dorsal cuirass, which is formed by portions of the skele- 

 ton ; the longitudinal axis of the tail is not in the same line 

 with that of the trunk. Scales none. Teeth none. Two dorsal 

 fins situated on the hindmost part of the back ; ventral fins 

 rudimentary, abdominal. Three or four branchiostegals. 



