374 pennant's globefish. 



as regards the structure which by nature had been provided 

 for its defence, but which had in these instances become the 

 means of leading to its destruction. These two examples were 

 taken about the same time and nearly at the same place, near 

 Penzance; one of them on the 27th. of August, and the other 

 on the 17th. of September; and it is remarkable that a specimen 

 caught at St. Ives was obtained on the 29th. of September of 

 the same year. 



The first of these was observed by some schoolboys near the 

 rocks, as it floated with its distended globe uppermost. It was 

 incapable of making its escape, and was secured by placing a 

 basket under it; and it was immediately conveyed to Mr. R. 

 Q. Couch, by whom a figure of it was taken, and which is 

 now the original of our representation, together with a description; 

 both of which are beyond question more characteristic than 

 such as have been derived from specimens that have suffered 

 distortion from the manner in which they have been preserved. 



Our second example was first seen by a boy floating with 

 its distended globe uppermost; but although within his reach 

 he was not able to secure it; and when afterwards it was 

 discovered by boys the inflation had disappeared. On their 

 meddling with it it assumed the natural position, but in its 

 eflTorts to escape it only made a circuit in the water. For a 

 time it gradually passed seaward in an apparently exhausted 

 condition; but in passing near a projecting portion of the rocks 

 it was taken on shore, and immediately conveyed to my son 

 above named; to whom it afl'orded an opportunity of examining 

 the inward structure of some of its parts, of Avhich we shall 

 give an account. 



The length of the example described was twenty-two inches 

 and a half, the body, independent of the globe, slender but 

 round and plump; round the distended part two feet eleven 

 inches; from the front to the tail along the back nearly straight. 

 The mouth small, teeth projecting not much unlike the beak 

 of a parrot; when the mouth is closed the upper pair overhang 

 the lower; below the mouth a gradual slope, which suddenly 

 distends into the globe, that reaches to the vent, which is large. 

 The skin is soft, like velvet, and elastic; capable of considerable 

 motion over the muscles beneath it; the globe covered with 

 distant star-shaped depressions, each of which bears a prominent 



