366 REPORT OF NEW JERSEY STATE MUSEUM. 



Genus Trichodiodon Bleeker. 



The Hairy Fishes. 



Trichodiodon pilosus (Mitchill). 



Balloon Fish. 



This differs from the other members of the family in the 

 very small dermal ossifications, each of which is 2-rooted with 

 a fine flexible spine or hair-like bristle. 



This species, very imperfectly understood, has been recorded by 

 Dr. Abbott, who states that it is occasionally met with, a state- 

 ment, however, which needs verification. Its capture within our 

 limits is certainly to be questioned as yet. 



Diodon pilosus Ahhott, Geol. N. J., 1868. p. 827. 



Genus Chilomycterus Bibron. 



The Burr Fishes. 



Chilomycterus schoepfi (Walbaum). 



Burr Fish. Cucumber Fish. Spotted Balloon Fish. Balloon Fish. 



Head 2j4; depth 3; D. i, 9; A. i^ 9; snout 2}^ in head; eye 

 4^; width of mouth 2^; interorbital i^; fourth dorsal ray 

 2j^ ; fourth anal ray 2^ ; caudal 17^ ; pectoral i J^. Body de- 

 pressed, convex above, flattened below, or rather inflatable. 

 Head broad, depressed above, and flattened below. Snout broad, 

 obtusely convex. Eye circular, anterior. Mouth a little broad, 

 with thick fleshy wrinkled Hps. Interorbital space broadly con- 

 cave. Gill-opening- before upper part of base of pectoral. About 

 9 spines between eye and dorsal, their height about equal to 

 diameter of pupil. Spines on belly much smaller, partly im- 

 bedded in skin. No spines on caudal peduncle. Anterior root of 

 each spine little larger than others. Dorsal inserted far back, 

 reaching base of caudal when depressed. Anal nearly opposite 

 dorsal, but a trifle posterior. Pectoral broad, reaching Ys of 

 space to origin of dorsal. 



