284 PLECTOGNATHI. NAKED TEETH FAMILY. 



appropriated), may be regarded as a proof that it is 

 not wholly intended for that purpose. Several of tho 

 species are regarded as poisonous. The only one that 

 occurs on our own coasts is named by Mr. Yarrell. 

 (Sp. 210.) T. Pennantii, Pennant's Globe-fish, 

 under the impression that it is not identical with 

 the T. layocephalus of Gmel., Linn., and Artedi, as 

 it was regarded by the editor of Pennant's works in 

 the edition of 18 1 2. It was first recorded by Pennant 

 as a British species, and named by him Icemgatus. 

 He had seen only a single specimen, which was taken 

 at Penzance in Cornwall. Since that time another 

 has occurred on the Cornish coast, a third at Mount's 

 Bay, and a fourth near Waterford in Ireland. The 

 length is about a foot and a half, the back rich blue, 

 the belly and sides silvery white, fins and tail brown. 

 The distensible skin extends from below the mouth 

 nearly to the insertion of the anal fin, and is pretty 

 thickly beset with spines which spring from a stel- 

 lated root of four processes. After filling this crop- 

 like expansion with air and water, it expels them 

 by degrees from the branchial apertures and mouth 

 with considerable force, producing a pretty loud 

 noise. It is asserted by Mr. Darwin, who has 

 given a good account of the habits of this fish in the 

 Voyages of the Adventure and Beagle, that when 

 handled it emitted from the skin of its belly a most 

 beautiful carmine red and fibrous secretion, which 

 stained ivory and paper in so permanent a manner 

 that the tint is retained with all its brightness to 

 the present day. 



