THE GALLEY EISH. 
165 
a frog, and is from seven inches to two feet lono-. Like the 
porcupine, whence it takes its name, it is covered over with 
long thorns or prickles, which point on every side; and 
when (he animal is enraged, it can blow up its body as 
round as a bladder. Of this extraordinary creature there arc 
many species : some threatening only with spines, and others 
defended with a bony helmet that covers the head. 
These frightful animals are of different sizes; some not 
bigger than a foot-bali, and others as large as a bushel. The 
Americans often amuse themselves with the barren pleasure 
of catching these frightful creatures by a line and hook 
baited with a piece of sea-crab. The animal approaches the 
bait will) its spines flattened ; but when hooked and stopped 
by the line, all its spines are suddenly erected ; the whole 
body being armed in such a manner at ali points, that it is 
impossible to lay hold of it on any part. For this reason 
it is dragged to some distance from the water, and there it 
quickly expires. In the middle of the belly of all these 
there is a sort of bag or bladder filled with air, by the in- 
flation of which the animal swells itself in the manner 
already mentioned. 
To these animals may he added the Galley Fish, 
which Linnaeus degrades into the insect tribe, under the 
title of the Medusa. To theeyeofan unmindful spectator, 
this fish seems a transparent bubble, swimming on the sur- 
face of the sea, or like a bladder variously and beautifully 
painted with vivid colours, where red and violet predomi- 
nate, as variously opposed to the beams of the sun. Jt is, 
however, an actual fish ; the body of which is composed of 
cartilages, and a very thin skin filled with air, which thus 
keeps the animal floating on the surface, as the waves and 
the winds happen to drive. Persons who happen to be 
walking along the shore often tread upon these animals ; 
and the bursting of their body yields a report as when one 
treads upon the swim of a fish. It has eight broad feet 
with which it swims, or which it expands to catch the air 
as with a sail. It fastens itself to whatever it meets by 
means of its legs, which have an adhesive quality. But 
what is most remarkable in this extraordinary creature, is 
the violent pungency of the slimy substance, with which 
its legs are smeered. If the smallest quantity but touch 
the skin, so caustic is its quality, that it burns it like hot 
oil dropped on the part affected. The pain is worse m the 
heat of the day, but ceases in the cool of the evening. 
