129. TETEODOXTIDiE LAGOCEPHALUS. 
859 
1337. A. scripta (Osbeck) Bleeker. 
Head and body with irregular blue spots and lines, and small, round 
black spots. Skin finely velvety. Body oblong, its depth equal to dis- 
tance from snout to posterior margin of orbit. Snout produced, tbe 
upper profile concave. Dorsal spine very feeble, above middle of orbit. 
Part of gill-oi^eniug in advance of orbit. Pectoral fin inserted below 
orbit ; caudal elongate, about as long as head ; dorsal and anal low. 
Depths. D. 46; A. 50. {Giintlier.) Tropical seas; occasionally north 
to South Carolina. 
{Balistes scriptus Osbeck, Itin. i, 144, 1771: Mouacanthns seriptus Giintber, viii, 252.) 
Family CXXIX.— TETRODONTID.E. 
{The Puffers.) 
Body oblong or elongate, usually little compressed, and sometimes 
very broad; belly capable of great inflation; skin scaleless, usually 
more or less prickly, sometimes with strong spines. Teeth in each jaw 
wholly confluent, forming a sort of beak which in each jaw is some- 
times divided bj" a median suture; lips full; nostrils various. Fins of 
soft rays only ; dorsal fin posterior, opposite and similar to the anal; 
caudal fin distinct; no ventral fins; pectoral fin short and broad, its 
upper rays longest. Pelvic bone undeveloped. Gill-openings small, 
close in front of the pectorals; air-bladder i)resent. Genera about 10; 
species 80; inhabiting warm seas; noted for their habit of filling tbe 
stomach with air. When inflated, the diameter of the belly is often 
greater than the length of the body. 
(Gjjmnodontes, group Tetrodontina Giintber, viii, 270-316.) 
a. Both jaws divided by a median suture. ( Tefrodontinw.) 
b. Nostril on each side a single tube, with two openings. 
c. Dorsal and anal falcate, of 12 to 15 rays each Lagocephalus, 480. 
cc. Dorsal and anal of 6 to 8 rays each Tetrouon, 481. 
aa. Both jaws entire, without median suture. (Diodontincp.) 
d. Spines very small, flexible, bristle-like, mostly two-rooted. 
Trichodiodox, 482. 
dd. Spines strong, stiff, erectile, mostly two-rooted Dionox, 483. 
ddd. Sj)ines very strong, immovable, mostly three-rooted. 
Chilomycterus, 484. 
480.— L(AGOCEPHAI..tJS Swainson. 
{Gastroplujsus Miiller.) 
(Swainson, Class. Fish. etc. 1839, 328: type Tetrodon lagocephalus L.) 
Body comparatively elongate; skin smooth or variously prickly, the 
prickles most developed on the abdomen; abdomen capable of very 
