FISHES. 559 
size, is easily distinguished from any species of the genus Zefrao- 
don by its compressed spineless body ; being very round in its vertical 
contour, it has been compared 
to a disc, and more poetically 
to the sun—whence its popular 
name—to the great circular 
surface of which the dazzling 
silvery white disc bears some 
resemblance. But it is espe- 
cially during the night that it 
justifies the name given to it. 
Then it shines brightly, from 
its own phosphorescent light, 
at a little distance beneath the 
surface. On very dark nights 
the sun-fish is sometimes seen 
swimming in the soft light Fig. 365.—Sun-fish (Orthagoriscus mola). 
which emanates from its body, 
the rays rendered undulating by the rippling of the water which it 
traverses, so as to resemble the trembling light of the sun half-veiled 
in misty vapours. When many of these fishes rove about together, 
mingling their silvery trains, 
the scene suggests the idea of 
dancing stars. The sun-fish is 
common on the west coast of 
Ireland, also in the Medi- 
terranean, and it sometimes 
reaches the markets of Paris. 
It is from four to five feet in 
length, and its weight is con- 
siderable. Its flesh is fat and 
viscous, and by no means 
pleasant to eat. 2 aes 
The species of the genus Fig. 366.—The Globe-fish (Tetraodon). 
Tetraodon Wave a somewhat ; 
large head and bony salient jaws, which are each divided in front by a 
sort of vertical slit into two portions, which look like two teeth. 
These four portions of bony jaw, which project beyond the lips, some- 
what resemble the hard and dentate jaws of .the turtle. Their anterior 
part is sometimes prolonged, like the mandibles of the beak of the 
parrot. They are perfectly adapted to crush the shells of the molluscs, 
as well as the hard carapaces of the crustaceans, on which they feed. 
