ODD FORMS AMONG FISHES. 



531 



namely, that the males receive the eggs into a pouch, in which they 

 carry them till they are hatched ? 



Who tliat has studied and heard of only ordinary fishes would 

 ever expect to see such an animal as the sunfish {Orthagoriscus) ; and 

 who, when he sees one for the first time, would regard it as anything 

 short of a monstrosity? This huge fish (Fig. 15), weighing, in some 



Fig. 15. Sunfish (^Orthagoriscus mola, Schreiber). 



cases, five hundred pounds, is so abbreviated behind, that it is scarcely 

 represented behind the dorsal fin, making it one of the most remark- 

 able forms, and one of the most difficult to explain, to be found in the 

 whole class. 



The trunk-fishes (Fig. 16) are very remarkable forms. They have 

 an inflexible shield of bony plates, so that the mouth, tail, and fins, 

 are the only movable parts. These small fishes from three inches to 



Fig. 16. Teunk-fish {Lactophrtjs 

 Camelinui-, Dekay). 



Fig. 17. Puffer ( Tetraodon hirgidus, 

 Mitchell). 



a foot, in length are thus in strong contrast with the ordinary fishes, 

 whose whole bodies are so flexible that tliere is the greatest freedom 

 of motion throughout nearly the entire structure. 



Again, the puffers (Fig. 17) are remarkable forms. Being more 

 or less covered wiih spines, and having the habit of inflating them- 

 selves bv swallowino; aii", thus givins: them more or less of a rounded 



