84 



DANGEROUS MARINE ANIMALS 



Fig. 51. Top: Dorsal sting of Thalassophryne. Bottom 



Thalassophryne. 



Opercular sting of 



low bone which curves slightly, and terminates in a sharp tip. 

 Openings are present at each end of the spine for the passage of 

 venom. With the exception of the outer tip, the entire gill spine is 

 encased within a glistening, whitish, pear-shaped mass. The broad, 

 rounded portion of this mass is situated at the base of the spine, 

 and tapers rapidly as the tip of the spine is approached. This mass 

 is the venom gland. The gland empties into the base of the hollow 

 gill spine which serves as a duct (Fig. 51, Bottom). 



