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 

 [Thalassophryne reticulata), belonging to a groijp 



FiG. 7. —Poison Organ of ThalassoJ>hry7ie reticulata (after Giinther). i, Hinder 

 half of the head with the venom-sac of the opercular apparatus in situ. * Place 

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

 branches; d, gill-opening; c, central fin; d, base of 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 Avas situated 

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



