Fishes of Massachusetts. 513 
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PLECTOGNATHI. 
Family I. 
GYMNODONTES. 
Trrraopon. Lin. 
Generic characters. Both jaws divided in the 
middle by a suture, producing the appearance of 
Sour teeth in front, two above and two below. The 
skin over part of the body, armed with numerous 
short spines. The branchial orifice small. 
T. turgidus. Mitchell. The Swell Fish. Puffer. 
Trans. Lit. et Philosoph. Soc. N. Y. vol. i. p. 473, et fig. _ 
This very curious fish, which receives its name 
from its power of inflating itself to a surprising de- 
degree with air, was first described by Mitchell. His 
description of the fish itself is rather indefinite, and 
his figure is not scientifically accurate. He says: 
“Length about 12 or 14 inches; depth less than two 
inches, and breadth about two inches; but the belly 
is loose and flabby; and it may be distended toa 
large size, apparently at the will of the fish.” 
VOL. II.—NO. 11I—IVv. AT 
