NATURAL HISTORY 317 



A most interesting example of parental solicitude among 

 the lower animals. 



"Another example of the curious fishes of the Chad basin 

 is the puffer or globe fish {Tetrodon fakaka), which when taken 

 out of the water inflates itself hke a ball, at the same time 

 erecting the prickles with which its otherwise naked skin is 

 beset. It then resembles a balloon, and as such is used as 

 a plaything by the native children in Egypt." 



