302 



VENOMS 



5. — Batrachiidae. 



The venomous species belonging to this family are few in 

 number. They are found in all tropical seas, but have no repre- 

 sentatives in Europe. The best-known species are Batrachus tail 

 (shores of Central America), and B. rjranniens, or Grunting Batra- 

 chus (fig. 110). 



Fig. 110.~ Datraclius grunniens (West Indies). 



Fig. 111. — Thalassophrync reticulata (Panama; Tropical Pacific). 

 (After Savtschenko.) 



The Grunting Batrachus, which does not exceed 30 cm. in 

 length, is especially common in West Indian waters. When taken 

 from the water it makes a peculiar grunting sound, whence its name 

 is derived. The pectoral fins are reddish, the back is brown, and 

 the sides are yellow, marbled with black. It has three spines in the 

 anterior dorsal fin, and a fourth spine on the top of the operculum, 

 with a small poison-sac at the base of each. 



