TIIE DIODON. 
1GI 
sity of the smaller fish bring them to view these filaments 
and their hunger induces them to seize the bait • upon 
which the animal in ambush instantly draws in its filaments 
with the little fish that had taken the bait, and devours it 
without mercy. This story, though apparently improbable, 
nus found credit among some of our best naturalists. The 
fishermen have, in general, a great regard for this ugly fish as 
u is an enemy to the dog fish, the bodies of those fierce a’nd 
voracious animals being often found in its stomach : when- 
ever they take it, therefore, they always set it at liberty. 
The Diodon, or Sun Fish, is easily distinguished by 
its very peculiar form ; having a very deep body, and, as 
it weie, cut oil in the middle. There are three well known 
species. 
The Oblong Diodon grows to an immense size, and has 
been known to weigh upwards of five hundred pounds. In 
its form it resembles a bream or carp cut off in the middle. 
1 he mouth is very small, and contains in each jaw two 
broad teeth, with sharp edges. The dorsal, and the anal 
nns, are placed at the extremity of the body ; the tail fin is 
narrow, and fills up all the space between these two fins. 
When boiled, it is observed to turn entirely to a glutinous 
jelly, and would probably serve all the purposes” of isin- 
glass; but it is not found in sufficient plenty, at least upon 
our coasts. 
The short Diodon differs from the preceding, in beim> 
much shorter and deeper, resembling the head of a fish 
rather than a perfect animal ; both kinds are found on the 
western coasts of Britain, but in greater plenty in the warmer 
climates of Europe. 
The Globe Diodon is common to Europe and Carolina, 
but is more plentiful at the latter place. The form of the 
body is usually oblong, but when alarmed it has the power 
of inflating its belly to a globular shape of an immense size. 
■f his seems designed as a defence against fish of prey, which 
are further terrified by the innumerable spines with which 
that part is defended, and which may be erected at plea- 
sure. One taken at Penzance in Cornwall, was one foot 
seven inches in length. 
The Lump-sucker is trifling in size, compared to the 
preceding: its length is but sixteen inches, and its weight 
j °ut four pounds ; the shape of the body is like that of a 
bream, deep, and it swims edgeways; the back is sharp and 
Von. II. v 
