106 Weever's Poison Glands; Salmon Family. 



to their chagrin. We have obtained the Greater species 

 between 8 and 9 inches long, though they grow bigger ; and 

 the Lesser, the more dangerous, from 1J to 5 inches. The 

 latter is a constant source of anxiety to the whitebaiters, by 

 remaining more inshore throughout the year ; the former more 

 often falls to the shrimper's lot ; but is scarcer during the 

 winter months. 



Some fish authorities have maintained that the spine prick 

 in itself is harmless unless where slimy substance gets into the 

 wound and sets up irritation. Later investigations have clearly 

 established the presence of true poison glands.* The neck 

 spines and gill-cover spines both have them. They are situated 

 towards the base and alongside the grooved spines. When the 

 fish strikes by a simultaneous muscular pressure on the glands 

 the virus enters the wound. Instantly an excruciating stinging 

 pain is felt. This, with swelling and numbness, often lasts for 

 hours or days, or is followed by more serious consequences. 

 Few " baiters " or shrimpers escape a prick, and many retain 

 stiff finger joints. f 



At Leigh and throughout Essex, with a few exceptions, 

 weevers are not used as food, though their flesh is good. At 

 Dover the Greater Weever at times may be seen hawked about 

 for sale as food in barrow loads. (Webb, Handb.) 



Salmon Family (Salmonidae). (1) The SALMON (Salmo 

 solar) question has cropped up within recent times in con- 

 nection with the Thames, the Medway, and the (Canterbury) 



* See Parker, Proc. Zool. Soc,, 1888; Allman, Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. VI., (1841). 



t Treatment. The shrimpers dip the finger into their almost boiling brine the 

 remedy being as painful as the disease. They, as well as " baiters," may casually suck 

 the wound, oftener tie a cord tightly round the wrist or finger, or rub the parts with 

 grease or with turpentine. An old much-vaunted remedy among fishermen is the 

 application of the liver of the fish itself. This from its oily nature acts as an emollient, 

 and from the men's experience is said to have a good effect. But the conditions are 

 often such that the extracting of it is attended with risk, or the body is crunched and 

 overboard in a trice. Sometimes a wet handkerchief is wrapped round the hand as 

 a temporary expedient. 



Practically each vessel or rowboat should always have on board a bottle of olive 

 oil with a little opium in it. This mixture quickly applied externally acts most 

 soothingly. Freely anoint the finger or hand with it, or use it with gentle friction. 

 Then dip a woollen stocking in water as hot as can be borne and wrap around hand 

 and wrist. At intervals renew this, and continue assiduously after returning home, or 

 use poultices of poppy-heads, or linseed with a sprinkling of laudanum. When on 

 board, if hot water is not convenient to be got, then sea water will do, without its 

 renewal, the great thing being to retain the moist heat engendered. (J.M.) 



