TRIGGER-FISH./ 



form of this creature with that of certain reptiles, the analogy between the Coffer-fish 

 and the tortoise is too close to escape observation. Kone of these fishes are in request as 

 articles of food, their flesh being small in quantity, and in some species even thought to 

 have a poisonous effect-, but the liver is very large, and yields a tolerable supply of oiL 

 All the Coffer-fishes are natives of the tropical seas, and but few species are known, 



THE very carious TRIGGER- FISH is an example of a moderately large genus, inhabiting 

 the wanner seas of many parts of the world, and which, on account of their rough 

 and fierce exterior, are sometimes called FILE-FISHES, or LEATHER-JACKETS. 



The name of Trigger-fish is derived from the peculiar structure of the dorsal fin. 

 When the fin is erected, the first ray, which is very thick and strong, holds its elevated 

 position so firmly that it cannot be pressed down by any degree of force ; but if the 

 second ray be depressed, the first immediately falls down like the hammer of a gun-lock 

 when the trigger is pulled. The mechanical structure of these curious rays is extremely 

 interesting, but the description would occupy too much space to be inserted in this work, 

 beside requiring careful illustrations. 



A strong fopKi^g agfrinyt the flesh of this fish exists among seafaring men, but, like 

 many other nautical prejudices, is quite without foundation, the flesh being sweet and 

 nutritious, though rather coarse. On the abdomen there is a bony keel, and on each 

 side of the tail there are several rows of horny spines. This species is found in Japanese 

 waters. In colour it is one of the most striking of its genus, being tolerably large, and 

 black in colour, diversified by some large pale yellow or white spots upon the sides of the 

 abdomen. Two other species are also given, in order to exhibit the curious variety of form 

 and colouring found in these remarkable fish. The BRISTLY TRIGGER-FISH is notable from 

 the quantity of bristle-like appendages to the tail, and the general appearance of the 

 UNARMED TRIGGER-FISH can best be understood by reference to the illustration. All the 

 fishes of this genus (which has been divided by some authors into several other genera) 

 are inhabitants of the tropical seas, where they haunt the rocky coasts, and make the ocean 



