FAMILY GYMNODONTID — DIODON. 325 
iriangular spines on the upper surface ; the extremities of which, in the living animal, are 
furnished with long strips of membrane. Similar spines, but more numerous, smaller and 
recurved, on the abdomen. ‘Three spines over each orbit, and another equidistant between 
each orbit. Lips fleshy, and susceptible of being drawn over the teeth. Three or four 
minute barbels under the chin. Pectorals short and broad, with a slightly sinuous mar- 
gin; the upper rays longest. Dorsal placed far back, and obtusely pointed. The anal fin 
long, placed on an elongated fleshy base. ‘Tail slender, supporting a lanceolate caudal fin. 
All the fins exceedingly feeble and delicate. 
Color. Above dark olive-green, tinged with brown, with meandering dusky lines as in the 
preceding species. Chin yellowish white. Abdomen black ; but the bases of the spines are 
bright orange, which so far predominates as to give this color to the whole under side. 
Length, 2°0. Depth and transverse diameter, 1°0. 
Hin rays, DL14; P.22; A. sisa@i 9: 
This species, which might be mistaken for the young of the preceding, is readily distin- 
guished by its lanceolate tail. I have nothing to state in relation to its habits. The specimen 
which furnished me with the above description, was found in a net in the harbor of New-York 
in the latter part of October. 
THE WARTY BALLOON-FISH. 
Diopon VERRUCOSUS. 
PLATE LV. FIG.184. — (CABINET OF THE LYCEUM.) 
Characteristics. Small. With rounded areole, from which arise soft flexible spines. Length 
an inch and a half. 
Description. Form cuboidal oblong. The whole surface covered with numerous circum- 
scribed and somewhat elevated areole, presenting a verrucose appearance. From the centre 
of each arises a pointed conical cutaneous process, resembling a spine. A single barbel over 
each orbit. Nostrils tubular. The dorsal opposed to and somewhat longer than the anal. 
Pectorals short, broader than long. Caudal long, emarginate. 
Color. Cinereous brown above ; yellowish white beneath. 
Length, 1°4. Depth, 0°5. 
Eim'rays, D. 11; P.22; A. 10; C€. 10. 
This small fish, which is found very rarely in the harbor of New-York, may prove to be 
the young of some species hitherto undescribed. My late friend Dr. Mitchill read a descrip- 
tion of this species before the Lyceum nearly twenty years since, under the name of verru- 
cosus. He was, however, accustomed to throw his communications into any vehicle of publi- 
cation that presented itself, and resorted even to ladies’ magazines, or to a daily newspaper. 
My attempts to find the description of this species have been fruitless. 
