129. TETKODONTIDJE LAGOCEPHALUS. 859 



1327. A. scripta (Osbeck) Bleeker. 



Head and body with irregular blue spots and lines, and small, round 

 black spots. Skin finely velvety. Body oblong, its depth, equal to dis- 

 tance from snout to. posterior margin of orbit. Snout produced, the 

 upper profile concave. Dorsal spine very feeble, above middle of orbit. 

 Part of gill-opening in advance of orbit. Pectoral fin inserted below 

 orbit; caudal elongate, about as long as head; dorsal and anal low. 

 DepthS. D. 46; A. 50. (G'dnther.) Tropical seas; occasionally north 

 to South Carolina. 



(Balisles scriptus Osbeck, Itiu. i, 144, 1771: Monacanthus scriptus Giinther, viii, 252.) 



FAMILY CXXIX. TETRODONTID^E. 



(The Puffers.) 



Body oblong or elongate, usually little compressed, and sometimes 

 very broad; belly capable of great inflation; skin scaleless, usually 

 more or less prickly, sometimes with strong spines. Teeth in each jaw 

 wholly confluent, forming a sort of beak which in each jaw is some- 

 times divided by a median suture; lips full; nostrils various. Fins of 

 soft rays only ; dorsal fin posterior, opposite and similar to the anal; 

 caudal fin distinct; no ventral fins; pectoral fin short and broad, its 

 upper rays longest. Pelvic bone undeveloped. Gill-openings small, 

 close in front of the pectorals; air-bladder present. Genera about 10 ; 

 species 80; inhabiting warm seas; noted for their habit of filling the 

 stomach with air. When inflated, the diameter of the belly is often 

 greater than the length of the body. 



(Gymnodoittcs, group Tetrodontina Guuther, viii, 270-316.) 



a. Both jaws divided by a median suture. (Tetrodontince.) 

 b. Nostril on each, side a single tube, with two openings. 



c. Dorsal and anal falcate, of 12 to 15 rays each LAGOCEPHALUS, 480. 



cc. Dorsal and anal of 6 to 8 rays each TETROUON, 481. 



aa. Both jaws entire, without median suture. (Diodontina.) 



d. Spines very small, flexible, bristle-like, mostly two-rooted. 



TRICHODIODON, 482. 



dd. Spines strong, stiff, erectile, mostly two-rooted DIODON, 483. 



ddd. Spines very strong, immovable, mostly three-rooted. 



CHILOMYCTERUS, 484. 



48O. LAGOCEPIIAL.US Swainson. 



( Gastropliysm Miiller. ) 

 (Swaiuson, Class. Fish. etc. 1839, 328: type Tetrodon lagocephalus L.) 



Body comparatively elongate; skin smooth or variously prickly, the 

 prickles most developed on the abdomen j abdomen capable of very 



