Series Plectognathi 417 
length, so far as known. They are not poisonous, and are 
often baked in the shell. Three genera are recognized: Lac- 
tophrys with the carapace, three-angled; Os- 
tracion with four angles, and Aracana, resem- 
bling Ostracion, but with the carapace not 
closed behind the anal fin. In each of these 
genera there is considerable minor variation 
due to the presence or absence of spines on 
the bony shell. In some species, called cuck- 
olds, or cowfishes, long horns are developed 
over the eye. Others have spines on some 
other part of the shield and some have no Fic. 352—Spotted 
spines at all. No species are found in ae 
Europe, and none on the Pacific coast of bicaudalis (Lin- 
America. The three-angled species, called ate 
Lactophrys, are native chiefly to, the West Indies, sometimes 
carried by currents to Guinea, and one is described from 
Australia. Lactophrys tricornts of the West Indies has long 
Fic. 353.—Spineless Trunkfish, Lactophrys triqueter (Linnus). Tortugas. 
horns over the eye; Lactophrys trigonus has spines on the lower 
parts only. Lactophrys triqueter is without spines, and the 
fourth American species, Lactophrys bicaudalis, is marked by 
large black spots. The species of Ostracton radiate from the 
East Indies. One of them, Ostracion gibbosum, has a turret- 
like spine on the middle of the back, causing the carapace to 
appear five-angled; Ostracion diaphanum has short horns over 
the eye, and Ostracion cornutum very long ones; Ostracion 
IIl—27 
