PORCUPINE DIODON. 433 



its colour is a pale or whitish grey, the back being 

 of a somewhat deeper cast ; and the whole body is 

 marked, at the base of each spine^ by a round black 

 spot : the fins themselves are also spotted. This 

 fish is said to afford an amusing spectacle when 

 taken by a line and hook, properly baited with 

 some small species of crab or other crustaceous 

 animal : after having played round the bait for 

 some time in various directions, it seizes it ¥/ith a 

 sudden spring; but finding itself hooked, it exhibits 

 every appearance of the most violent rage 5 inflat- 

 ing its body and elevating its spines to the highest 

 possible degree, as if endeavouring to wound in all 

 directions ; till, after having tired itself by its vain 

 efforts, it suddenly expels the air from its body 

 and becomes entirely flaccid for some time: but, 

 when drawn towards the shore, redoubles its rage, 

 and again inflates its body : in this state it is left 

 on the sand; it being impossible to touch it with- 

 out danger till it is dead. It is a native of the 

 Indian and American seas, and is considered as a 

 coarse and worthless fish, but is sometimes eaten 

 by the inhabitants of the W est-Indian islands. It 

 varies as to the length of its spines in different in- 

 dividuals. 



