PORCtJPINE ACANTHICUS. 



133 



large fish is nearly seven-eighths of an inch in 

 diameter, and has the spines two inches and a 

 half in length. The spines appear to be jointed on, 

 and have the low^er part enclosed in the dark co- 

 loured epidermis w^hich covers the trunk of the ray. 

 They all terminate in a brown crooked point, are 

 tubular, and in their dried state are hard and elas- 



The whole body and rays of all- the fins are 

 covered thickly with spines or points, more or less 

 developed. Tbey are strongest on the snout and 



