FAMILY GYMNODONTIDiE DIODON. 325 



triangular spines on the upper surface ; the extremities of which, in the living animal, are 

 furnished with long strips of membrane. Similar spines, but more numerous, smaller and 

 recurved, on the abdomen. Three spines over each orbit, and another equidistant between 

 each orbit. Lips fleshy, and susceptible of being drawn over the teeth. Three or four 

 minute barbels under the chin. Pectorals short and broad, with a slightly sinuous mar- 

 gin ; the upper rays longest. Dorsal placed far back, and obtusely pointed. The anal fin 

 long, placed on an elongated fleshy base. Tail slender, supporting a lanceolate caudal fin. 

 All the fins exceedingly feeble and delicate. 



Color. Above dark olive-green, tinged with brown, with meandering dusky lines as in the 

 preceding species. Chin yellowish white. Abdomen black ; but the bases of the spines are 

 bright orange, which so far predominates as to give this color to the whole under side. 



Length, 2"0. Depth and transverse diameter, l'O. 

 Fin rays, D. 14 ; P. 22 ; A. 8 ; C. 9. 



This species, which might be mistaken for the young of the preceding, is readily distin- 

 guished by its lanceolate tail. I have nothing to state in relation to its habits. The specimen 

 which furnished me with the above description, was found in a net in the harbor of New- York 

 in the latter part of October. 



THE WARTY BALLOON-FISH. 



DlODON VERRUCOSUS. 



PLATE LV. FIG. 184. — (CABINET OF THE LYCEUM.) 



Characteristics. Small. With rounded areolae, from which arise soft flexible spines. Length 

 an inch and a half. 



Description. Form cuboidal oblong. The whole surface covered with numerous circum- 

 scribed and somewhat elevated areolae, presenting a verrucose appearance. From the centre 

 of each arises a pointed conical cutaneous process, resembling a spine. A single barbel oyer 

 each orbit. Nostrils tubular. The dorsal opposed to and somewhat longer than the anal. 

 Pectorals short, broader than long. Caudal long, emarginate. 



Color. Cinereous brown above ; yellowish white beneath. 



Length, 1'4. Depth, 0"5. 



Fin rays, D. 11 ; P. 22 ; A. 10 ; C. 10. 



This small fish, which is found very rarely in the harbor of New-York, may prove to be 

 the young of some species hitherto undescribed. My late friend Dr. Mitchill read a descrip- 

 tion of this species before the Lyceum nearly twenty years since, under the name of verru- 

 cosus. He was, however, accustomed to throw his communications into any vehicle of publi- 

 cation that presented itself, and resorted even to ladies' magazines, or to a daily newspaper. 

 My attempts to find the description of this species have been fruitless. 



