304 



VENOMS 



in wait for their prey at the bottom of the water in the mud 

 of the shore. In order to attract it, they make use of cutaneous 

 appendages attached to their spines, which they are able to ele- 

 vate, and of filaments situated near the mouth. 



The principal genus is Lophius, one species of which, L. setigerus 

 (fig. 112), is found in the seas of China and Japan. Another species, 

 L. piscatorius (the Sea Devil or Angler), occurs in the temperate 

 climates of Europe, North America, Asia and Africa. 



Certain other Acanthoptej-ygii are capable of inflicting wounds, 

 but, although fishermen often believe them to be venomous, or such 





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Fig. 113. — Scrranus ouatabili. (After Savtschenko.) 



properties are frequently attributed to them in stories, it is doubt- 

 ful whether they possess poison-glands. The accidents produced 

 by them are due rather to the fact that the spines in their fins 

 are extremely sharp, and that their flesh is toxic. Those belonging 

 to the Percidcs (the Perch family), especially the genus Serranits 

 and S. ouatihili (fig. 113) in particular, are above all remarkable 

 in this respect. The last-mentioned fish has two or three spines 

 on its operculum. 



The same may be said of certain Squamipinncs, another family 

 of Acanthopterygii, whose stout bodies are brightly coloured, and 

 have very sharp, spiny rays in their dorsal and anal fins. The 



