APPENDIX 273 



than at half-depth where the splendour of its colours mark it 

 out from a distance. 



The Pterois volitans is common. It is the most beautiful of 

 the genus. I unwillingly experienced its poisonous sting, but 

 I must admit that in this respect the devil is not as black as 

 he is painted. Contrary to what was repeatedly told me by 

 the natives, its sting is far from being either mortal or very 

 harmful. After what happened to me I would classify the 

 effect of the sting of this fish as between that of the Trachinus 

 dracho, greater weever, and the Scorpaena porcus, the common 

 scorpion fish. The Director of Health Services at Kosseir, 

 on the Egyptian coast, assured me that in a healthy subject, 

 neither the sting of the pterois nor any other fish in the 

 Red Sea can be considered lethal. 



