M^ THE TEUTHI?. 



Genus XL VI T/je Teuthis, 



J. HE tv7o fpecies which Linncens has arranged under thiff 

 genus are both exotic fillies. The generic characfters are, 

 a cylindrical body, covered with tuberculated fcales, 

 which give the animal fomevvhat of an angular fliape, 

 Thefe fcales are thinly fet, fcarcely imbricated, and are 

 extremely rough to the touch. The head is broad, flat- 

 tened horizontally, and Hoping towards the fnout, which 

 is obtufe. The mouth is deftitute of teeth ; the eyes 

 diftant from the fnout, placed aliuoll on the top of the 

 head, and covered with an entire nictating membrane. 

 On the inner fide of the lips are innumerable cirri, which 

 ferve the animal inflead of teeth *. 



A Bra-zilian filh, termed by the natives guacari, be- 

 longs to this genus. The fins are in general fnpported. 

 by very ftrong fpines. The tail, which in the lower di- 

 vifion is about three inches in length, and two in the up- 

 per, is fupported by very ftrong fpines. The whole head 

 is covered with a rough kind of fhell ; the fcales of the 

 body triangular, and arranged in rows, forming a ftrong 

 coat of mail, well adapted for defence f . The whole 

 body of this fifli is of a fafron colour, diluted towards 

 the belly, but deep upon the fides and back j over this 

 ground there is difperfed an innumerable quantity of 

 fmall brown fpots, refembling muftard feeds. The na- 

 tive Bfcizilians eat this fi(h ; but after the bulky tegu- 

 ment is fubtradled, very little flefti remains, and that of 

 no exquifite quality. 



* Guan. Hift. Pifciuro, p. I8S. f Willoiigh. page a;;. 



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