CULTIVATION OF MAKINK AND FRESH-WATER ANIMALS IN JAPAN. 269 



fish, when fully grown, arc apt to strike their eyes against the sides of the ponds, 

 tubs, etc., in which they arc kept, and to injure them so that they often become 

 blind. In nature, therefore, such a protuding eye must be a distinct disadvantage, 

 and would never have been produced except by artificial selection. 



7. The "dem^-ranchu" (cut -i). This variety is not yet naturalized in Japan, 

 having been imported from China only within the last two or three years. Of all 

 the extraordinary and odd-looking fishes, it certainly is far in the lead in many 

 respects, and is interesting as showing how far man can proceed in modifying 

 nature. It is a telescope-fish with a short globular body resembling the "ranchu," 

 and, like it. without the dorsal fin. The eyes have assumed a most extraordinary 

 position. The ordinary telescope-fish is odd enough, with the eyes protruding, but in 



Cut i. — The " demfi-ranchu." 



this variety dislocation has gone one step further. The eyes have not only started 

 out of the head, but have turned upward 90 degrees and have their pupils looking 

 straight skyward. For this reason 1 should be inclined to call this "astronomical 

 telescope-fish." As a fish, it is so monstrous that it gives one almost uncomfortable 



feelings. 



It is an interesting fact that in the forms without any dorsal fin, many young 

 .show T more or less traces of that fin. Sometimes there may be only the first spine, 

 at other times only a few spines, at still others a little bit of a tin. etc.. showing that 

 the fin must have been bred off comparatively recently. 



There can be no doubt that of these varieties the "wakin" is the most primitive, 

 as can be seen from its shape, as well as from the fact that it is much hardier than the 



