Volume 27, Plate XXI / Ichthyology (Fish)

Horned Ostracion

Ostracion cornutus

One of the oldest known species, found on the shores of the Isle of France and Java and widely distributed in the Mediterranean, bearing strong sharp spines set as two horns and two more behind the ventral fins. Though these spines are not moveable and cannot serve as active defence, they must present awkward impediments to any fish attempting to seize or swallow it.