336 ISLE^l OF SUMMEli. 



Catesby says tliat this fish is sometimes three feet long; that 

 it is shaped like a rolling-pin, and tapers towards the head and 

 tail; that it can raise, and point backwards and forwards at its 

 pleasure, the tapering sharp pointed bone that is found a little 

 behind the eyes, but that this bone is brittle and easily broken. 

 He also states that this fish feeds on shells and coralline sub- 

 stances, and is considered poisonous, and is found where corals 

 are plentiful. 



The Coio Jish is from five to twenty inches in length. Tlie 

 appearance of this fish is exceedingly queer and comical. This 

 is especially true of its face, which is that of its great namesake 

 in small miniature. "Whether this shell fish has infringed upon 

 the cow's facial copyright, or the cow upon that of this odd fish, 

 we are unable to decide. Its body is shaped like a beech nut, 

 being triangular. The shell in which it is entirely enclosed (ex- 

 cept the lips, base of fins, hind part of tail and eyes), is composed 

 of hexagonal osseous scales; the parts excepted are covered with 

 a soft skin; over each eye there is a prominent conical spine, 

 which points straight forward, and helps much to give the face 

 of the fish its cow-like appearance. On each neutral ridge there 

 is a flat spine directed backward. The caropace is of a rich, 

 bright blue color, with brown lines, and is very beautiful when 

 seen in a good light, but it changes a good deal and the colors 

 soon vanish after death. Its motions are slow and cautious, and 

 it sometimes ejects water from its mouth to a distance of four 

 feet. 



The Triangular Jish or Cuckold Shell-fish, (as it is called by 

 tlie natives), is about twelve inches in length, and sometimes 

 weighs two jjounds. The integuments of the body are modified 

 into a three ridged caropace, composed of hexagonal osseous 

 scales. The snout-like mouth, the basis of the fins, and the 

 hind part of the tail are covered by soft skin. On each neutral 



