HIGH SCHOOL ZOOLOGY. 



71 



24. Any account of the Teleostei would be incomplete with 

 out a reference to the Plectognathi, a group which iiichides some 

 tropical fish of very bizarre appearance. The File fishes (Balistes; 

 (Fig. 44) receive their name from the form of the first dorsal 

 spine, the Trunk fishes (Ostracion) (Fig. 45) ai-e enveloped in 



Fig. 44— The File, or Trigger, Fish. Balistes capiiscus. J. 

 (U. S. F. C.) 



Fig. 45— The Trunk Fish. — Ostracion qxuidricumis. J. 

 (U. S. F. C.) 



a complete box formed of bony plates, the Porcupine-fishes 

 (Diodon) (Fig. 46) are covered with long .sharp spines, but all 

 agree in the firm union of the bony elements of the jaws to 

 which they owe their name. 



