VENOMS IN THE ANIMAL SERIES 301 
of France and in the tropical zone. The most important of these 
belong to the genus Callionymus (C. belennus, C. lacertus, C. vulsus, 
and C. lyra—fig. 109). 
The Dragonet or Skulpin (Callionymus lyra), which is common 
on the coast of Calvados, may attain the length of 30 cm. In 
France it is popularly known as the Doucet, Dragonnet, Lavandière, 
Cornaud, or Capourt. Its colours are very vivid, orange and deep 
hlac. 
In this fish the præopercular bone ends in three strong, conical, 
and very sharp points, diverging like the prongs of a trident. The 
upper margin of the opercular bone bears another point, which is 
directed upwards. 
The skin of the gills forms a common sheath for this defensive 
armature, and the base of the sheath is prolonged into two culs-de- 
sac, the surface of which is clothed, during the spawning season, 
with cylindrical cells, the secretion of which is poisonous. 
This venom, which is small in amount, does not appear to have 
any marked effect upon man (Bottard). 
4.—Teuthidide. 
This family of Acanthopterygii includes several species of bril- 
liantly coloured fishes with elongated and laterally compressed 
bodies, provided with a long dorsal fin, and having, on each side of 
the tail, a sharp spine placed in front of the anal fin. They are 
herbivorous, and are confined to the tropical seas. 
The principal genera are: Teuthis (India), Acanthurus (Tropical 
Atlantic), Prionurus (Japan), and Naseus (Red Sea and Indian 
Ocean). The fishermen of Réunion are much afraid of the wounds 
inflicted by Acanthurus luridus, which they call Marguerite Porc or 
Grande Marguerite. A sting from this fish causes a very acute 
smarting pain, which may last for several hours, but usually has no 
serious consequences. 
The poison-apparatus of these fishes is situated in the dorsal and 
anal fins, as in Scorpena. 
