MKDITERRANEAN HOPLOSTETHUS Hoplosteth.ua Mediterr&nev* 



WE now arrive at another family of fishes, in which the body is rather compressed 

 i.e. flattened sideways the eyes are large, and the mouth oblique. It is scientifically 

 known by the name of Berycidoe, and all its members are inhabitants of the tropical and 

 temperate seas. 



Our first example of this family is the JAPANESE SINGLETHORN. 



In all the fishes of this genus, the scales are rather large, very strong, and so closely 

 compacted together that they form a strong mailed covering to the body. The name of 

 Monocentris or Singlethorn is derived from the curious modification of the ventral fins, 

 which are devoid of membrane, and are reduced to a single very strong and rather 

 lengthened spine, and a few very short rays. In the place of the dorsal fin are four or five 

 thick spines, and the shield-like scales of the body are rough, projecting, and keeled. 



The Japanese Singlethorn is an inhabitant, as its name imports, of the seas of Japan, 

 and is almost, if not quite, the only species of its genus. It is chiefly remarkable for the 

 size of its head, the strong thorn-like spines, and the mailed suit of hard and projecting 

 scales. It is of a tolerably uniform colour, its whole body being silvery white, and its 

 length is about six or seven inches. 



THE large-eyed and deep-bodied fish which is shown in the illustration, derives its 

 name of HOPLOSTETHUS, or Armed-breast, from the strong and sharp spines which are 

 placed on the scapular bone and the angle of the prseoperculum. Like the last-mentioned 

 species, it seems to be the only member of its genus. 



This fish is found in the Mediterranean, and is not uncommon on the coast of Madeira. 

 It is remarkable not only for the offensive weapons with which it is armed, but for the 

 large, full eye, the saw-like series of notches on the abdomen, and the beautiful rosy hue 

 of its -scales. The dorsal fin of this fish is single, but is composed of two distinct portions, 

 the one being supported by strong spinous rays, and the other by soft and flexible rays. 

 The muzzle is very short, rounded, and does not protrude ; the tail is deeply forked, and 

 the serrated portion of the abdomen consists of eleven, twelve, or thirteen scales. The body 

 is very deep in proportion to its length. 



