irUTUYOLOGT. 283 



while a grating sound, wlienrc tlic imitative name of one s])Cfics in India {Cutcutia^. 

 Whun thrown again into the water, tlie iisli is unable to sink, in spite of its efforts, till 

 it has discharged the air with wliieh its body is distended. Some species are considered 

 to be highly poisonous, whilst others are eaten, but only by the poorest classes. The 

 Burmese call them Nga-bu-dyn, and they are not only a nui.sanee to the fisherman, 

 from delighting to bite his line asunder, but torment the bather, if stationary for a 

 moment, by nipping a piece out of his flesh with their parrot-like beaks. 



Xexopteeus, Duineril. 



Nostrils funnel-shaped, with fringed margins. Jaws divided by a median suture. 

 Dorsal and anal fins with many rays. 



X. xAUHTs, Kichardson. 



Nga-bu-dyn. 



B. v.; D. ;32-38; P. 19; A. 2832; C. 12. 



Ej'es small. Lips thick and fringed. Spines with 2 or .3 roots present between 

 the eye and tlie pectoral fin, also below that fin, an 1 baidcwards along the belly, nearly 

 as far as the vent. Pale yellow, darker along the back. 



Burma, in rivers and estuaries. 



Tetuodon, Linnceus. 



Jaws divided with a median suture. Dor.sal and anal fins with few rays. 



T. LUXAius, Bloch. Schn. 



Cha-mo-dah. Andamans. 



B. v.; D. 1214; P. 1619; A. 1112; C. 10. 



Eye large. Back and belly covered with small spines. Snout, sides and tail 

 spineless. Greenish olive above, .sides and belly white, with a yellow line from the 

 eye to the tail. Grows to a foot. 



The Andamans, where it is eaten. 



T. BETicrLAEis, Bloch. Schu. 



Ko-pud-dah. Andamans. 



D. 10-11; P. 19; A. 1011; C. 10-11. 



Upper surface of the body deep grey or brown, white below, with from 8 to 10 

 longitudinal black stripes, anterior to the anal and pectoral fius. Body posteriorly 

 Bpottc^d. (irows to 17 inches, and is deemed very poisonous. 



The Andamans. 



DroDox, C'uvier. 



Body nearly globular. Jaws without median suture. Body covered with stiff 

 erectile dorsal spines. 



D. HTSTEIX, L. 



The whole body, except the belly, of a light bi'own, covered with round blue or 

 brown spots. Fins spotted like the body. Grows to 2i feet. 

 The Andamans. 



Sub-class CnONDROPTERYGII. 



Skeleton cartilaginous. Caudal with an elongated upper lobe. Intestines with 

 a spiral valve. Males furnished with prehensile organs. Ova large. Some species 

 ■viviparous. Embryo with external deciduous gills. Xo air-vessel. 



Order PLAGIOSTOMATA. 

 Five to seven gill openings. Jaws distinct from the skull. 



