328 ICHTHYOLOGY 



TORTOISE-FORMED FISHES. 



Of Swainson's order the Plectognathes, or tortoise-form* 

 ed fishes, we have representatives, in the sea-porcupines, 

 and the fishing frogs. 



FOUR-TOOTHED SEA^PORCUPINE. 



This is an odious looking fish, that has the power of in- 

 flating its abdomen to an enormous size, which compels 

 it to turn on its back. It belongs to Linnaeus' genus te- 

 tradon, so named from each jaw being divided into two 

 parts so as to form four teeth ; and is called sea-porcupine, 

 because several of the species are covered with spines. 

 The species common off this Coast is perfectly smooth on 

 the back, which is covered with bright, greenish-yellow 

 spots, but the belly is inlaid with numerous small spines, 

 like the thorns of a rose-tree. Authors who restrict the 

 sea-porcupines to the genus diodon, would call this 

 species square fish. It is nearly related to the American 

 toad fish, which is deemed poisonous, but our fish is eaten 

 by the poorer natives. The fin rays are, 



D. 10: P. 16: A 10: C. 7. 



Lagocephalus, Swain. 



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SMOOTH SEA-PORCUPINE. 



The natives inform me that there is a smaller specie* 

 than the preceding, which I have not seen, in which the 

 (bdomen as well as the back is perfectly smooth. 

 Lzisomus, ? Swain. 



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FISHING FROG. 



An ugly little fish resembling a species of lophius, the 

 angler, fishing frog, or sea devil, which I have not exa- 

 mined, frequents our Coast. 

 Lophins ? 



