BEKYCID^. 421 



several species, with other genera now extinct : Pseuclobcryx, 

 with abdominal ventrals, from Mount Lebanon ; Berycopsis, 

 with cycloid scales ; Homonotus, Sienostoma, SphenocepJmlus, 

 Acamis, Hoploptei'yx, Platycornus, with granular scales ; 

 Podocys, with a dorsal fin extending to the neck ; Acrogaster, 

 Macrolepis, and Rhacolcpis, from the chalk of Brazil. Species 

 of Holocentrum and Myripristis occur in the Monte Bolca 

 formation. 



MoNocENTRis. — Snout obtuse, convex, short ; eye of moderate 

 size. Villiform teeth on the palatine bones, but none on the 

 vomer. Opercular bones without armature. Scales very large, 

 bony, forming a rigid carapace. Ventrals reduced to a single 

 strong spine and a few rudimentary rays. 



Fig. 183. — Monocentris japonicus. 



One species only is Imown {M. japonicus) from the seas off 

 Japan and Mauritius. It does not attain to any size, and is 

 not common. 



HopLOSTETHUS. — Snout very short and obtuse; eye large. 

 Villiform teeth on the palatine bones, but none on the vomer. 

 Operculum unarmed, a strong spine at the scapulary and the 

 angle of the prseoperculum. Scales ctenoid, of moderate size ; 

 abdominal edge serrated. One dorsal, with six spines ; ventrals 

 with six soft rays ; caudal deeply forked. 



One species only is known (ff. mediterraneus), which 



