lOS 



Poraipine Fish (Diodon Hystnx). 



In point of habit or external appearance, the re=» 

 markable genus Diodon may be siiid to connect in 

 some degree the tribe ot fishes with that of the spiny 

 quadrupeds, such as the porcupines and hedge-hogs; 

 it is also allied in a similar manner to the Echini, or 

 Sea Urchins. The Diodon Hystrix, commonly termed 

 the Sea Porcupine, is said to afford an amusing sight 

 when taken by a iine and hook, baited by a species 

 of crab : after seizing the bait, by a sudden spring, 

 on finding itself hooked, it exhibits every appearance 

 of violent rage, inflating its body, and elevating its 

 spines to the highest possible degree, as if endeavour- 

 ing to wound in all directions; till after having tired 

 itself by its vain efforts, it suddenly expels the air 

 from its body, and becomes flaccid for some time : 

 but when drawn towards the shore, redoubles its 

 rage, and again inflates its body ; in this state it is 

 left on the sand, it being impossible to touch it with- 

 out danger till it is dead. It is a native of the Indian 

 and American seas, and is considered as a coarse fish, 

 but is sometimes eaten by the inhabitants of the 

 West Indian Islands. 



Loph ius. — Unk nown . 



Torpedo Raj/ (Raja Torpedo). 



The Torpedo has been celebrated both by ancients 

 and moderns, for its wonderful faculty of causing a 

 numbness or painful sensation in the limbs of those 

 who touch or handle it. The shock or sensation 

 given by this Ray is attended with all the effects of 

 that produced by the electrical machine, so far as 

 experiment has hitherto enabled us to discover. Al- 

 though this fish does not appear to be furnished with 

 any striking exterior qualities; although it has no 

 muscles formed for great exertions, nor any internal 



