Another species of _Menidæ_ is the extinct _Gasteronemus rhombeus_ of the Eocene of Monte Bolca. It has much the same form, with long pubic bones. The very long ventral fins are, however, made of one spine and one or two rays. A second species, _Gasteronemus oblongus_, is recorded from the same rocks. =The Pempheridæ.=—The _Pempheridæ_, "deep-water catalufas," or "magifi," are rather small deep-bodied fishes, reddish in color, with very short dorsal, containing a few graduated spines, and with a very long anal fin. These inhabit tropical seas at moderate depths. _Pempheris_ bears a superficial resemblance to _Beryx_, but, according to Starks, this resemblance is not borne out by the anatomy. _Pempheris mulleri_ and _P. poeyi_ are found in the West Indies. _Pempheris otaitensis_ and _P. mangula_ range through Polynesia. [Illustration: FIG. 224.—_Gasteronemus rhombeus_ Agassiz. (After Woodward.) Menidæ. ] [Illustration: FIG. 225.—Catalufa de lo Alto, _Pempheris mulleri_ Poey. Havana. ] [Illustration: FIG. 226.—_Pempheris nyctereutes_ Jordan & Evermann. Giran, Formosa. ] [Illustration: FIG. 227.—The Louvar, _Luvarus imperialis_ Rafinesque. Family Luvaridæ. (After Day.) ] Very close to the _Pempheridæ_ is the small family of _Bathyclupeidæ_. These are herring-like fishes, much compressed and with a duct to the air-bladder. There are but one or two dorsal spines. The ventrals are of one spine and five rays as in perch-like fishes, but placed behind the pectoral fins. This feature, due to the shortening of the belly, is regarded by Alcock, the discoverer, as a result of degeneration, and the family was placed by him among the herrings. The persistent air-duct excludes it from the _Percesoces_, the normally formed ventrals from the _Berycoidei_. If we trust the indications of the skeleton, we must place the family with _Pempheris_, near the scombroid fishes. =Luvaridæ.=—Another singular family is the group of _Louvars_, _Luvaridæ_. _Luvaris imperialis._ The single known species is a large, plump, voracious fish, with the dorsal and anal rays all unbranched, and the scales scurf-life over the smooth skin. It is frequently taken in the Mediterranean, and was found on the island of Santa Catalina, California, by Mr. C. F. Holden.