148 



HORNED OSTRACION, 



Oatradon cornutus. Block. 



PLATE XXL 



Two are placed as horns, and in the same situation, 

 and two are jjlaced posterior to the ventral fins. It 

 is one of the oldest known species, is found on 

 the shores of the Isle of France and Java, and is 

 widely distributed in the Mediterranean. In another 

 very singular fish, the 0. turritus^ the " Chemeau 

 mar in" of the French naturalists, the back rises 

 triangularly up, and a strong spine surmounts the 

 summit ; two others are placed perpendicularly 

 above the eyes ; while, on the low^er surface of the 

 lish, four others, strong and bent, defend it. Al- 

 though these spines are not moveable, and cannot 

 be used as an active defence, they must present 

 awkward impediments to other fishes seizing, or 

 attempting to swallow tlieni. 



These curious furnitures may all be placed as 

 organs of defence, few of them being ever used 

 either to secure their prey or as offensive weapons : 

 but before leaving the conformation of the skin, we 

 must shortly advert to its colours. In many in- 



