PISHES WAITE. 197 



BALISTES FLAVOMARGINATUS, Rupp. 



Balistes flavomarginatus, Riipp., Atlas Fische, p. 33 ; Bleeker, 

 Atlas Ichth., pi. ccxxiv., fig. 3. 



One specimen secured. It agrees exactly with the figure cited, 

 both as to size and proportions, but the representation is spoilt 

 by the delineation of the scales on the snout, which as Giinther 

 remarks are not correctly drawn. 



BALISTES ACULEATUS, Linn. 



Balistes aculeatus, Linn., Syst. Nat., i., p. 406 ; Bleeker, Atlas 

 Ichth., pi. ccxvi,, fig. 3. 



Under the name of " Soumou," one example of this beautiful 

 and very widely distributed species is in the Funafuti Collection, 

 and is apparently as common in the Ellice Group as in other 

 islands of the Pacific. 



DIODONTID^E. 



TETRODON, Linnaeus. 



TETRODON NIGROPUNCTATUS, Block. 



Tetrodon nigropunctatus, Bloch, Schn., p. 507 ; Bleeker, Atlas 

 Ichth., pi. ccvi., fig. 4. 



The Collection includes two adult examples, both of which 

 when alive exhibited a beautiful lemon colour on the entire 

 ventral surface, thus approaching the variety citrinella. One of 

 the two specimens is very spiny, and the other is in part almost 

 naked. Although it is known that some Diodons are able to 

 erect their spines independently of the inflation of the body, 

 personally I had no idea that Tetrodons could accomplish a 

 similar result to such an extent as is exhibited by our specimens. 

 Examining the two side by side one was seen to be exceedingly 

 spiny, while the other as indicated appeared to be devoid of such 

 armaments ; it was not until the last named example was turned 

 over that I realised they were of the same species. The right 

 side of this specimen lias the spines fully protruded, while 

 on the left side they are deeply imbedded, but can be readily 

 found and protruded by means of a knife or other instrument. 

 A Tetrodon killed with its spines erected may present a very 

 different appearance to one of the same species killed while the 

 spines were imbedded beneath the skin. As the spiniferous 

 character is used in describing or determining the various species, 

 it has been thought advisable to indicate that it may not be so 

 constant as has been imagined. 



I find that Giinther has drawn attention to the fact that this 

 species varies in its spiny character, but was apparently unaware 



