328 NEW-YORK FAUNA. 



oblong black blotches, which occasionally assume the appearance of transverse bars. I have 

 seen specimens of nearly a uniform black above. 



Length, S'5. Head measured from the branchial aperture, 2' 5. 

 Fin rays, D. 8 ; P. 15 ; A. 6 ; C. 9. 



This curious fish receives its popular names of Puffer and Blower, from its being enabled 

 to inflate itself when taken from the water. When lying undisturbed at the bottom of a 

 boat, it may again be made to inflate itself by scratching its abdomen. It is a cruel diversion 

 with boys to crush the inflated animal with a large stone, when the abdomen is burst with a 

 loud explosion. Schcepff, who was afraid to make an assertion when it contradicted, or was 

 not supported by the authority of Linneus, had this species before him, and referred it to the 

 T. hispidus, a very different species. It was this species that SchcepfT asserts to be fur- 

 nished with lungs lying in the fore part of the breast, having mistaken the kidneys for lungs. 



This species is scarcely ever eaten. It is abundant on our shores, and extends northwardly 

 as far as the harbor of Boston, where it was observed by Dr. Storer. With its southerly 

 range, I am not acquainted. It is frequently taken with the hook in fishing for black-fish on 

 our coast, and is also taken in company with the cod and haddock. 



THE CURVED PUFFER. 



Tetraodon cbrvus. 

 The Curved Telrodon, T. curvis. Mitchill, Trans. Lit. and Phil, Soc. Vol. 1, p. 472. 



Characteristics. Smooth and brown above, with faint transverse bars. A smooth brass- 

 colored stripe on the side, from the head to the tail. Length two and a 

 half inches. 



Description. Back considerably arched, and smooth ; belly pouched, and capable of great 

 distension. Short sharp spines disposed in quincunx on the belly. Mouth small, the upper 

 teeth project ; the lower jaw shuts within the upper. Eyes large, and almost halfway between 

 the snout and the gill-openings. Tail tapering, and the rays of its extremity long, and rather 

 forked. The dorsal fin much behind, with thirteen rays growing out of a skinny protuberance. 

 The anal has the same number, situated on a similar process. Pectorals broad, even, and 

 composed of about sixteen rays. 



Color. Back dark brown, variegated with faint bars across. The parts contiguous to the 

 branchial aperture, brassy. Belly dull-yellow. Between the back and belly, is a smooth 

 brass-colored stripe or riband from head to tail. General complexion brassy. 



Length, 2' 5. Depth, 1*0, or rather more. 

 Fin rays, D. 13; P. 16; A. 13; C. 15. 



