206 FISHES FOR MARINE AQUARIA. 



is more slender and tapering. It is very abundant 

 on the southern and western coasts of England. 



A fish which bears a bad reputation among the 

 fishermen is the lesser weever, or "sting fish" 

 ( Trachinus vipera). It is said to lie on the bottom of 



Fig. 137. 



Piper (TrigZa fyra). 

 Fig. 138. 



Lesser Weever ( Trachinus vipera). 



the boat quiet enough until something or somebody 

 comes within its reach, and then to bound up and 

 drive the sharp thorn-like rays of its dorsal fin into 

 its enemy. Dr. Gunther has proved that the fisher- 

 men are right in holding that the wound thus made 

 in the flesh is poisoned, and that the double-grooved 



