MITCHILL ON THE FISHES OF NEW-YORK. 473 



The pectoral fins are broad, even, and composed of about sixteen 

 rajs. The part contiguous to the branchial aperture, is brassy. The 

 dorsal has thirteen rays, growing out of a skinny protuberance. The 

 anal has the same number, situated on a similar process. 



2. Puffer. (Tetrodon turgidus.) With yellowish variegated back, 

 white rough belly, and a remarkable propensity to distend the abdomi- 

 nal sack with air when he is out of water. 



Length about twelve or fourteen inches ; depth rather less than two ; 

 and breadth about three. But the belly is loose and flabby ; and it may be 

 distended to a large size, apparently at the will of the fish. This happens 

 frequently after he is taken from the water. The air is inhaled with a 

 sucking or swilling noise. When received into the cavitv, it is confined 

 there by a valve in the throat. This valve is so strong, and so tight, 

 that not a particle of air can escape. The hardness equals that of a foot- 

 ball ; and the fish will bear to be kicked about without discharging it. I 

 have seen them stamped upon and still retain their charge of air. I have 

 known them to bounce from the surface of a rock, against which they 

 have been thrown, as turgid as ever. And it is a piece of sport, common 

 enough among fishermen, to burst them between two stones, where the 

 air is let loose with a noise almost equal to the report of a pistol. 



He is called in some places, toad-fishy because his back is mottled with 

 yellow and dark somewhat like that of a toad. 



He is taken both in the seine and by the hook. In the former with 

 herrings and flounders ; by the latter in the waters inhabited by black- 

 fish and bergalls. They are very troublesome by nibbling away the 

 b.iit ; and when catched are in no estimation as food. 



When he is out of water, alive, and not in a state of distention, he 

 usually rests on his abdomen, and not on his side ; and his dying strug- 

 gles exhibit a sort of wriggling motion. 



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