of Tishes found in Cornwall. 71 



Ammodytes. 



Launce. A. Tobianus. — This fish is gregarious ; it keeps in deep 

 water in winter, but in summer and autumn frequents 

 sandy bays, where it is preyed on by many kinds of fish. 

 The fleshy process that points the lower jaw is excellently 

 adapted to enable it to bury itself in the sand, which is the 

 method it takes to escape its pursuers. It is common to see 

 in the little companies that are moving along near the sur- 

 face, one that is much larger than the others, which seems 

 to act as captain, and leads the advance. 



JUGULAR FISHES. 

 Callionymus. 



Dragonfish. C. Lyr-a. — This fish is extremely rare, and has never 

 fallen within the reach of my observation. 



Skulpin. C Dracunculus. — I have given the common English 

 name of this fish, because I in general prefer it to that 

 which is arbitrarily bestowed by naturalists. It keeps at 

 the bottom in stony places, and is sometimes found to take 

 a bait. The skin is always besmeared with a large quan- 

 tity of tenacious mucus. 



Trachinus. 



Greater Weever. T. Draco. — I have known such effects to arise 

 from the puncture of the spine on the gill-covers of this 

 fish, as can only be accounted for on the supposition of its 

 conveying some venomous quality. In three men who 

 were wounded by one fish, the pain and tension proceeded 

 from the hand to the shoulder in a few minutes. 



Gadus. 



