HISPID TETRODON. 443 



small spines : colour grey on the abdomen, with 

 nmiierous, longitudinal, deep-brown streaks : fms 

 and tail as in the preceding species. Native of the 

 Mediterranean and American seas : sometimes 

 found in the river Nile^ where Hasselquist was 

 assured by the fishermen that on being taken the 

 hands were stung in the same manner as with 

 nettles. 



HISPID TETRODON. 



Tetrodon Hispidus. T. totiis hispidus papillis setaceis. 



Tetrodon entirely hispid with bristly papillae. 



Tetrodon ventre prominente, fronte plana. Block, t. 142, 



Length two feet ; shape, when inflated, similar 

 to that of the T. lagocephalus : colour whitish, 

 with the upper parts marked across the back by 

 three or four semi-decurrent brown bands, dividing 

 somewhat irregularly over the sides at their termi- 

 nation : whole body beset with numerous small 

 spines, as in the two preceding species. Native of 

 the Mediterranean and Indian seas : according to 

 Belon it may be numbered among edible fishes. 

 The fossil remains of this species are said to occur 

 among the petrifactions of Mount Bolca near 

 Verona. 



