I 
Ostracion. Ftve-Jpned Coney-fijh. Body triangular, 
and reticulated by funk lines into hexangular and heptangular me- 
flies, each bound a little within the line by a black ftrip: before 
each eye a ftrong fhort fpinej a third on the middle of the back; 
and one on each fide the belly near the vent: body from the vent 
to the tail covered with a foft fmooth fkin: tail round at the end, 
length ten inches. D. io. P. 12. A. 10. 
I have reafon to fuppofe it inhabits the Indian ocean. 
It is probable that this genus has the power 01 diawing the de- 
fencelefs parts under the bony coat of the body, at the appioach 
of danger. It feems necefifary that the parts of the boay to which 
the fins are attached, fhould be covered with a pliable fkin; efpe- 
cially that part of the body near the tail; as fifh move forward 
lefs with the affiftance of their fins, than by the motion of their 
body fideways; which is exemplified in the common method 
of impelling a cock boat, by moving fideways an oar at the ftern. 
