THE SUN-FISHES. 227 



able to erect the spines about the head at will by means of 

 muscles lying under the skin. Their teeth are welded into 

 the one massive crushing plate in each jaw. 



Some of these attain to a length of about 2 feet. They 

 are very destructive to young Oysters. 



All these fishes have a very bad reputation; indeed 

 some of them are highly-poisonous and are said to have 

 caused long-continued illness and death. In some cases 

 the poisonous properties seem to be more powerful at one 

 time of the year than another. 



The species illustrated is Diodon hystrix sometimes 

 known as the Sea-Hedgehog. 



THE SUN-FISHES. 



(Family: Molidce) 



THE Sun-Fishes are sea-rovers and are very rarely taken 

 in the harbours. They are found in all oceans within tropi- 

 cal and temperate zones. They possess a most curious disc- 



I 



w 



w 



f 



Fig. si'. SUN-FISH (Mola mold). 



