582 SUPPLEMENT ON 



their bodies like a balloon, and then floating upside down at 

 random upon die surface of the water. 



They have, moreover, a bilobate hydrostatic bladder, and 

 kidneys which, being placed very high, have been erroneously 

 taken for lungs by several writers. 



The Fahaca, or tetraodon lineatus, more anciently known 

 than the other species of the genus, inhabits the Nile, which 

 spreads it in abundance over the land, at the period of the 

 inundations, after which it serves as a play-thing to children, 

 though, according to Hasselquist, the Egyptians hold it in 

 abhorrence, and are persuaded that the use of its flesh will 

 produce death. The short spines, or prickles, with which it 

 is armed, produce ail the disagreeable effects occasioned by 

 the stinging of nettles. 



The Tetraodon Jiispidus of Lacepede, which must not be 

 confounded with that of Linnaeus, frequents the seas of the 

 Indies, and the Mediterranean, particularly towards the 

 shores of Northern Africa, and even at the mouth of the Nile, 

 and the other great rivers of these countries. Its flesh is by 

 no means good for eating, but it does not appear to be 

 poisonous. 



In many of the countries subjected to the yoke of the 

 Mussulmans, after having inflated the tetraodon hispidus 

 with air, they submit it to a careful desiccation, and suspend it 

 to the pinnacle of the minarets, and on the highest points of 

 buildings, in place of weather-cocks. 



It appears from some observations that at Monte Bolca, 

 near Verona, a fish analogous to this has been found in a 

 state of petrifaction. 



The Tetraodon Commersonii inhabits the various breaks 

 along the coasts of the Praslin Islands, where it has been 

 observed by the indefatigable Commerson. When it is in- 

 flated it appears of the size of the head of an infant newly 

 born. The more it is touched and tormented the greater 





