132 GLOBE DIODON, Class IV. 



56. Globe. Tetraodon lasvigatus. Lin, fyfi. 411. 



THIS fpecies is common to Europe and &?#/& 

 Carolina. As yet only a fingle fpecimen has 

 been difcovered in our feas \ taken at Penzance in 

 Cornwall. 



The length was one foot feven : the length of 

 the belly, when di (tended, one foot -, the whole cir- 

 cumference in that fituation tv/o feet fix. 



The form of the body is ufually oblong, but 

 when alarmed it has the power of inflating the bel- 

 ly to a globular fhape of great fize. This feems de- 

 figned as a means of defence againft fifh of prey : 

 as they have lefs means of laying hold of it -, and 

 are befides terrified by the numbers of fpines with 

 which that part is armed ; and which are capable of 

 being erected on every part. 



The mouth is fmall : the irides white, tinged 

 with red : the back from head to tail almoft ftrair, 

 or at leaft very (lightly elevated •> of a rich deep 

 blue color. It has the pectoral, but wants the ven- 

 tral fins. The dorfal is placed low on the back - 9 

 the anal is oppofite : the tail almoft even divided 

 by an angular projection in the middle : tail and 

 fins brown. 



The belly and fides are white, friagreened or 

 wrinkled ; and befet with innumerable fmall lharp 

 fpines, adhering to the fkin by four procefies. 



Thick 



