128 A NATURAL HISTORY OF THE SEAS 



harmony with the rocks and mud upon which it lies, 

 but the " permanent smile " is ringed with innumerable 

 flaps daintily scalloped. Even its eyes are scarcely dis- 

 tinguishable from acorn barnacles or the rayed pattern 

 of certain sea squirts. 



Other Anglers adopt slightly different methods, as 

 dictated by their environment. Thus in some the rod 

 and line is exaggerated to form a yard-long whip-lash, 

 whilst in certain deep-sea Anglers the body is illuminated 

 by a phosphorescent organ which, shining in the darkness 

 of the abyss, attracts other fishes to their doom. 



In the Dragon Fish, Weevers (Trachinus) and Trigger 

 Fishes {Batistes), the front dorsal fin may be supplemented 

 with sharp or serrated spines, which are used for offensive 

 or defensive purposes. 



In the Weevers, bottom-haunting, sand-loving fish, 

 the spine, situated on the first dorsal fin as well as the one 

 on each side of the gill cover, may be compared with the 

 poison fangs of serpents, being connected with glands 

 which secrete a very poisonous fluid. 



Two species of Weever Fish are known from our shores 

 — the Greater Weever (T. draco), which grows to a length 

 of nine inches, and the more common Lesser Weever 

 (T. viper d) y which seldom exceeds six inches in length, but 

 is more noxious than its larger relative. Both deserve 

 their Old English name, which signifies " viper." Though 

 the wounds these fish inflict are seldom fatal, they may be 

 exceedingly painful and can put the victim out of action 

 for several weeks. Since Weevers habitually lie concealed 

 in sand in shallow water, unshod feet may easily come into 

 contact with them. " Ware Weevers " is a notice dis- 



