Fig. 359.—Tetraodon meleagris (Lacépède). Riu Kiu Islands.
But few fossil Tetraodontidæ have been recognized. These are referred to Tetraodon. The earliest is Tetraodon pygmæus from Monte Bolca.
The Chonerhinidæ of the East Indies are globefishes having the dorsal and anal fins very long, the vertebræ more numerous (12 + 17), twenty-nine in number. Chonerhinus naritus inhabits the rivers of Sumatra and Java.
The little family of Tropidichthyidæ is composed of small globefishes, with a sharply-keeled back, and the nostrils almost, or quite, wanting. The teeth are as in the Tetraodontidæ. The skeleton differs considerably from that of Spheroides, apparently justifying their separation as a family. The species are all very small, three to six inches in length, and prettily colored. In the West Indies Tropidichthys rostratus is found. Tropidichthys solandri abounds in the South Seas, dull orange with blue spots. Tropidichthys rivulatus is common in Japan and several ether species are found in Hawaii.
Fig. 360.—Bristly Globefish, Tetraodon setosus Rosa Smith. Clarion Island, Mex.
Other species occur on the west coast of Mexico, in Polynesia, and in the East Indies.
Fig. 361.—Porcupine-fish, Diodon hystrix (Linnæus). Tortugas Islands.