264 ZOOLOGY. 



quadrupeds. In the living examples we captured, this 

 mode of defending the eyes was exercised as often as 

 these organs were touched, or the parts in their vicinity 

 pressed upon. It may probably be a provision for a 

 state allied to sleeping, as this fish is often seen floating 

 on the surface of the water, apparently in a state of 

 perfect somnolency. 



Two parasites were attached to these fish the one 

 was a Lerneea, rooted in the conjunctiva of the eye ; 

 the other was a large Oriiscus, adhering to the gullet. 



The liver of the Sun Fish has a bright-yellow colour, 

 and yields a large quantity of oil, which is much valued 

 by sailors as an external application for sprains, bruises, 

 and rheumatic pains. The flesh of this species is de- 

 licately white, and affords a wholesome and palatable 

 food : in flavour and texture it bears some resemblance 

 to skate. 



THE ROUND DIODON, OR TOAD-FISH. 

 (Diodon wbicularis, Shaw.) 



While cruising in the Pacific, we captured a solitary 

 example of this fish, swimming on the surface of the sea, 

 in lat. 4 S., long. 134 W. a considerable distance 

 from any known land. The entire length of this 

 specimen is one foot ; the head and back broad and 

 flat ; the body globular when inflated, and covered with 

 strong bony spines, presenting obliquely backwards. 

 The colour of the head and upper surface of the body 

 is a vivid blue, spotted with black ; the abdomen and 

 fins white, with circular black spots ; the sides, where 

 the hues of the back and abdomen approximate, are 

 brown. Iris, silver -white. 



This fish lived for several hours after it had been 

 removed from the water, and, as often as it was handled, 



