26 



THE COMMON FROG. 



[chap. 



+ 



the frogs and toads. Nevertheless a very perfect 

 organ for both wounding and poisoning has been 

 discovered by Dr. Giinther to exist in a certain fish 

 [TJialassophry7ic reticulata), belonging to a group 





Fig. 7. —Poison Organ of ThalassopUryiie reticulata (afier Ounlher). i, Hinder 

 half of the head with the ven.m-sac of the opercular ap^jaratus in situ. * Place 

 where the small opening in the sac has been observed, a. Lateral hne and its 

 branches; h, giil-opening ; r, ceniri^l fin; d, base cf pectoral fin; e, base of 

 dorsal fin 2, Operculum, with the periorated spine. 



which, on account of their superficial resemblances 

 to frogs, are termed " Batrachoid." 



He found in the fish no less than four spines, each 

 perforated like the tooth of a viper, and each having 

 a sac at its base. One such poison-spine was situated 

 on each side of the hinder part of the head in front 



