FISHES 129 



played on some shores and should not be disregarded. 

 The Larger Weever is excellent eating and on the Continent 

 is sold for food, the removal of the spines before being 

 displayed on the market being in some countries enforced 

 by law. 



In the Trigger Fishes the dorsal fin is supported in 

 front by two spines, the first one very stout, short and 

 serrated and hollowed out behind in order to receive the 

 knob of the base of the second. This first spine remains 



Poison spines 



Spine She&tK 



Lesser Weever : and details of poison spine on gill cover 



erect until the second is depressed. The " safety catch " 

 is then released and the serrated spine is shot out with 

 great force. 



In the Deal Fishes and Oar Fishes (Trachypteridae) the 

 dorsal fin extends along the whole upper surface, the rays 

 on the head being prolonged into long filaments, and in 

 the young of the Deal Fishes these filaments may measure 

 more than four times the length of the fish itself. Kegalecus 

 glesne is the largest species of Oar Fish, attaining a length 

 of nearly 25 feet. 



