VENOMS IN THE ANIMAL SEBIES SOI 



of France and in the tropical zone. The most important of these 

 belong to the genus Gallionymus (G. belennus, C. lacertus, C. vulsus, 

 and C. lyra~&g. 109). 



The Dragonet or Skulpin {Gallionymus lyra), which is common 

 on the coast of Calvados, may attain the length of 30 cm. In 

 France it is popularly known as the Doucet, Dragonnet, Lavandiire, 

 Cornaud, or Capouri. Its colours are very vivid, orange and deep 

 lilac. 



In this fish the prseopercular bone ends in three strong, conical, 

 and very sharp points, diverging like the prongs of a trident. The 

 upper margin of the opercular bone bears another point, which is 

 directed upwards. 



The skin of the gills forms a common sheath for this defensive 

 armature, and the base of the sheath is prolonged into two culs-de- 

 sac, the surface of which is clothed, during the spawning season, 

 with cylindrical cells, the secretion of which is poisonous. 



This venom, which is small in amount, does not appear to have 

 any marked effect upon man (Bottard). 



i. — Teuthididae. 



This family of Acatithopterygii includes several species of bril- 

 liantly coloured fishes with elongated and laterally compressed 

 bodies, provided with a long dorsal fin, and having, on each side of 

 the tail, a sharp spine placed in front of the anal fin. They are 

 herbivorous, and are confined to the tropical seas. 



The principal genera are : Teuthis (India), Acanthurus (Tropical 

 Atlantic), Prionurus (Japan), and Naseus (Red Sea and Indian 

 Ocean). The fishermen of Reunion are much afraid of the wounds 

 inflicted by Acanthurus luridus, which they call Marguerite Pore or 

 Grande Marguerite. A sting from this fish causes a very acute 

 smarting pain, which may last for several hours, but usually has no 

 serious consequences. 



The poison-apparatus of these fishes is situated in the dorsal and 

 anal fins, as in Scorpcena. 



