256 SOLID-JAW FISHES 



stood the test of time, and come down even into these troub- 

 lous times unchanged and unimproved. 



The Bellows Fish/ or Rabbit Fish, is possessed of 

 many local names, such as Globe, Bottle, Bloiver, and even 

 Egg fish. When taken from the water, and scratched smartly 

 on the al:>domen against the grain of the small spines which 

 cover that region, it begins to pump air into its interior, the 

 skin expands like india-rubber, and in a moment it assumes 

 balloon-like proportions. If the fish is then thrown into the 

 water, it floats belly upward for a moment, then suddenly the 

 air is expelled, the fish collapses, instantly turns right side up 

 and disappears. , .. 



This species ranges from Cape Cod to the Gulf of Mexico, 

 and may be looked for with confidence in the pound-nets at 

 nearly all our seaside resorts. 



The Porcupine Fish,- also known as Puffer, Ballfish, 

 Swellfish and Toadfish, is another seaside "curio," although 

 usually it is stuffed not wisely, but too swell. A tow-filled 

 balloon of fish-skin, with spines upon it, is not necessarily a 

 Porcupine Fish ; and the seaside taxidermist should sometimes 

 put a curb upon his zeal for expansion. 



Like the bellows fish, this species can expand itself with 

 air to about twice its normal size. Its back is covered with 

 strong, bony spines, which in some species are an inch in 

 length. It is a fish of tropical waters, and in Cuba is con- 

 sidered a food fish. The species figured is one of four which 

 in summer visit our Atlantic coast, while two others are 

 found on the coast of California. 



' Lag-o-ceph' a-lus lae-vi-tja'tus. 

 - Chi-lo-myc'lc-rus ge-o-met'ri-cus. 



