GLOBE-FISHES. 



93 



extract the soft parts. In the sea round Ceylon they have been 

 found to destroy an immense number of Pearl-Oysters, thus doing 

 a great deal of injury to the fisheries. Shells pierced by File-fish 

 are exhibited in Case 27. The Coffer-fishes (Ostracion) have the 



Fig. 81. 



Coffer-fish (Ostracion quadricornis). (From the West Indies.) 



integuments of the body formed into a hard continuous carapace., [Case 26.] 

 consisting of hexagonal scutes juxtaposed in mosaic fashion ; only 

 the snout, the bases of the fins, and the hind part of the tail 

 are covered with soft skin. 



Fig. 82. 



Fig. 83. 



Fig. 82. Globe-fish (l)iodon maculatns) . (From the Indian Ocean.) 

 Fig. 83. The same, inflated. 



H : 



