118 MAY. 



and evidence appears very strong for the injection of 

 some highly irritant poison by means of these prickles 

 of the Weevers. 



The flesh of these fishes is esteemed for the table ; 

 but such is the general apprehension of danger atten- 

 dant upon touching them, heightened also by their 

 great tenacity of life, that the fishermen usually cut off 

 the first dorsal and the gill-spines as soon as they capture 

 them ; while in Spain and .France these precautions are 

 enforced by legal penalties, on such fishes being exposed 

 in the market without having been disarmed. 1 



According to Mr. Couch smart friction of the wounded 

 part with olive-oil is the most effectual remedy; and 

 this fact again suggests analogy of the evil with the 

 effects produced by the bites of venomous snakes and 

 the stings of insects. 2 



Our little fish is not uncomely in its form or the 

 distribution of its sober colours. The upper parts are 

 light olive, with lines of ill- defined reddish spots run- 

 ning lengthwise ; the sides are silver-grey, tenderly 

 washed with blue ; the under parts pearly white : the 



1 So old Drayton, in his " Polyolbi"" " sings, quaintly enough, and with 

 a noble defiance of grammar : 



' The Weever, which, although his prickles venom be, 

 By fishers cut away, which buyers seldom see. 

 Yet for the fish he bears, 'tis not accounted bad." 



2 Since the above was written, the question has been set at rest, by Dr. 

 Gunther's and Mr. Byerley's actual discovery of poison-glands in connexion 

 with these spines. 



