The Dragonet or Skulpin (Callionymus lyra), which is common on the coast of Calvados, may attain the length of 30 cm. In France it is popularly known as the Doucet, Dragonnet, Lavandière, Cornaud, or Capouri. Its colours are very vivid, orange and deep lilac.
In this fish the præopercular bone ends in three strong, conical, and very sharp points, diverging like the prongs of a trident. The upper margin of the opercular bone bears another point, which is directed upwards.
The skin of the gills forms a common sheath for this defensive armature, and the base of the sheath is prolonged into two culs-de-sac, the surface of which is clothed, during the spawning season, with cylindrical cells, the secretion of which is poisonous.
This venom, which is small in amount, does not appear to have any marked effect upon man (Bottard).
4.—Teuthididæ.
This family of Acanthopterygii includes several species of brilliantly coloured fishes with elongated and laterally compressed bodies, provided with a long dorsal fin, and having, on each side of the tail, a sharp spine placed in front of the anal fin. They are herbivorous, and are confined to the tropical seas.
The principal genera are: Teuthis (India), Acanthurus (Tropical Atlantic), Prionurus (Japan), and Naseus (Red Sea and Indian Ocean). The fishermen of Réunion are much afraid of the wounds inflicted by Acanthurus luridus, which they call Marguerite Porc or Grande Marguerite. A sting from this fish causes a very acute smarting pain, which may last for several hours, but usually has no serious consequences.
The poison-apparatus of these fishes is situated in the dorsal and anal fins, as in Scorpæna.
5.—Batrachiidæ.
The venomous species belonging to this family are few in number. They are found in all tropical seas, but have no representatives in Europe. The best-known species are Batrachus tau (shores of Central America), and B. grunniens, or Grunting Batrachus ([fig. 110]).