Confessions of a Beachcomber - General Tiki

K Kailuageoff Member Honolulu Lounge,Lewes, DE Joined: Mar 27, 2002 Posts: 1506	K Kailuageoff Posted posted on Tue, Jun 17, 2003 8:50 AM page 117 -- "BURRA-REE: Another inhabitant of the coral gardens to be avoided is the ballon fish (Tetraodon ocellatus), which distends itself to the utmost capacity of its oval body when lifted from the water. The flesh is generally believed to be poisonous, though of tempting appearance. Authorities assert that the pernicious principle is confined to the liver and ovaries, and that if these are removed as soon as the fish is captured the flesh may be eaten with impunity. Let others, careless of pain and tired of life, experiment. Midde-aged blacks tell that when the monsterous Burra-Ree was speared here, notwithstanding its evil repute, some of the hungry ones cooked and ate it. All who did so died or were sick unto death. Some years ago two Maylays in the vicinity of Cairns partook of the flesh and died in consequence. No black will handle the fish, and a dog which may hunt one in shallow water, and mouth it, partakes of a prompt and violent emetic. Blacks are very careful to avoid touching it with anything shorter than a fish-spear, being of the opinion that the poison resides in or on the skin, and that the flesh becomes impregnated when the skin is broken. "The ballon fish is toothless, the jaws resembling the beak of a turtle, and in some species both the upper and lower jaws have medial structures like those of a snake. Was there not a Roman statesman or warrior whose jaws were fitted with a consolidated and continuous structure of ivory instead of the ordinary and seperate teeth? "The ballon fish depends upon its inconspicousness and harmony with its environment in the struggle for existence, for, no doubt, there are in the sea fish so strong of stomach as to accpet it without a spasm. It will allow a boat to be paddled over it as it floats -- a brown ballon -- almost motionless in the water without evincing alarm, but it makes a commotion enough for a dozen when a spear is fast in its back." (editors note: I've seen lamps made from these at Trader Vics in Atlanta, as well as the more common spiny puffer fish lamps. Didn't know it was a 'deadly' fish."

page 117 -- "BURRA-REE: Another inhabitant of the coral gardens to be avoided is the ballon fish (Tetraodon ocellatus), which distends itself to the utmost capacity of its oval body when lifted from the water. The flesh is generally believed to be poisonous, though of tempting appearance. Authorities assert that the pernicious principle is confined to the liver and ovaries, and that if these are removed as soon as the fish is captured the flesh may be eaten with impunity. Let others, careless of pain and tired of life, experiment. Midde-aged blacks tell that when the monsterous Burra-Ree was speared here, notwithstanding its evil repute, some of the hungry ones cooked and ate it. All who did so died or were sick unto death. Some years ago two Maylays in the vicinity of Cairns partook of the flesh and died in consequence. No black will handle the fish, and a dog which may hunt one in shallow water, and mouth it, partakes of a prompt and violent emetic. Blacks are very careful to avoid touching it with anything shorter than a fish-spear, being of the opinion that the poison resides in or on the skin, and that the flesh becomes impregnated when the skin is broken.
"The ballon fish is toothless, the jaws resembling the beak of a turtle, and in some species both the upper and lower jaws have medial structures like those of a snake. Was there not a Roman statesman or warrior whose jaws were fitted with a consolidated and continuous structure of ivory instead of the ordinary and seperate teeth?
"The ballon fish depends upon its inconspicousness and harmony with its environment in the struggle for existence, for, no doubt, there are in the sea fish so strong of stomach as to accpet it without a spasm. It will allow a boat to be paddled over it as it floats -- a brown ballon -- almost motionless in the water without evincing alarm, but it makes a commotion enough for a dozen when a spear is fast in its back."
(editors note: I've seen lamps made from these at Trader Vics in Atlanta, as well as the more common spiny puffer fish lamps. Didn't know it was a 'deadly' fish."

Post #39609 by Kailuageoff on Tue, Jun 17, 2003 8:50 AM