440 Fishes. 
THE GLOBE FISH, (Tetraodon Mspidus,) 
Is an oblong fish, inhabiting the seas of Carolina, and 
endowed with an extraordinary power of swelling its 
nnder surface into a large globe. This sudden' enlarge- 
ment not only alarms the enemies of the Tetrodon, but 
prevents them from making good their hold, by pre- 
senting to their grasp little more than an inflated bag. 
It is also covered with spines, which merely adhere 
to the skin, and are capable of being erected on any 
sudden emergency ; thus giving to an innocent and de- 
fenceless creature a most formidable appearance. 
\\ hen inflated, they roll over on their backs, floating 
in this position, without any power of directing their 
course. Some species are reckoned poisonous. One is 
electrical, (Tetraodon lineatus,) and is found in the Nile ; 
when left on shore by the inundations, it always inflates 
its body, becomes dried in this condition, and is then 
picked up by the children, and used as a ball. 
