39 



Caudal fin small. 5 or 6 rows of scales between the preorbital and the 

 inner ridge of the preoperculum. Limb of the preoperculum covered with 

 scales. Pyloric cceca 4. Dentition is very different (PI. VII. fig. 2). No 

 grinding teeth. Only single row of conical teeth of about the same 

 size is found besides granular teeth. Vomer and palatines are destitute 

 of teeth. Premaxillary long, its length is about twice its height. Front- 

 als coalesced and thick, but not solid (PI. V. figs. 5,6). Their surface 

 presents many small blunt ridges. Occipital crest high, its upper margin 

 thick and pointed behind (PI. V. figs. 5 — 7). Anterior end of the crest 

 is united with the crest of the frontals. Frontals and postfrontals do 

 not meet in one continuous line, but leave a large foramen between 

 them (PI. V. fig. 8). First spurious interneural slender (PI. VII. fig. 2, c). 

 Coloration is reddish with golden lustre. Two or three markings of 

 yellowish color are found at the dorsal margin of the body.* Lower 

 portion of the body is silvery white. No blue spot. Membrane forming 

 the posterior margin of the operculum pale blue. Iris reddish. Fish 

 about 30 cm. in length -and about 800 grammes in weight is common. 

 This is the smallest species of Pagrns in Japan. ijjLl/J^i 



Geographical distribution. Japan, Hondo, Shikoku, Kiushu and For- 

 mosa. Not known from the Inland Sea, northeastern coast of Hondo 

 and Hokkaido. 



Vertical distribution. 100 — 150 metres. This species does not come 

 to shallow waters and is always found in off-shore waters. 



Lives on sandy or muddy bottom and feeds on Crustacea (Chiefly 

 Grapsus), Echinodermata (Chiefly Ophuroidea), Mollusca (Philine), Ver- 

 mes (Chcetopoda) and Pisces. 



Caught by lines. 



Fish, 20 cm. long, is mature. 



* Unfortunately these yellow markings were omitted by the ar.ist in the colored 

 plate, as they are not distinct in the adult fish. 



