164 



Mr. G. J. Allman on the Sting 



From the posterior edge of the operculum the integument 

 is continued over the spine to within a very short distance of 



the point ; by which means the spine is inclosed in a com- 

 plete sheath for nearly its entire length, and the groove at 

 each side is converted into a perfect tube, extending from the 

 conical cavity at the base almost to the point of the spine. 



The result of this arrangement, is a structure beautifully 

 adapted for the conveyance of a fluid from the base to the 

 apex of the spine. 



The spines of the dorsal fin are also grooved, but the grooves 

 disappear towards the base, after becoming superficial, and do 

 not terminate in cavities similar to those at the bases of the 

 spines of the opercula. 



I have not as yet been able to detect any specific gland 

 connected with this apparatus. There is, indeed, in the bottom 

 of each of the conical cavities above-mentioned, a small pulpy 

 mass, which may possibly be of a glandular nature ; but in 

 ascribing to it the property of secreting the virus, I do nothing 

 more than hazard a distant conjecture. It seems, indeed, to be 

 chiefly composed of fatty matter ; and on puncturing my hand 

 with a lancet and introducing a little of this substance taken 

 from a fish which had been about twenty-four hours dead, no 

 phaenomena of any interest were the result, there being merely 

 a slight smarting produced, such as might be expected from 

 the introduction of any such extraneous matter into a recent 

 wound, and very different indeed from the intense pain pro- 

 duced by the sting of the living fish. The property of secre- 

 ting the virus may probably with more truth be ascribed to 



