ITS HABITS. 1 1 9 



cheeks and operculum are richly adorned with pearly 

 reflections; these parts are destitute of scales, which 

 is the chief distinction between this species and the 

 Greater Weever, after the size; this species rarely 

 exceeding five or six inches in length, whereas its 

 congener attains double those dimensions, and even 

 more. 



In the tank, it is not particularly interesting; it 

 grovels on the bottom among the pebbles, and will 

 cover its body with the sediment so far as it is able ; 

 where it lies for hours, watching upward. Doubtless 

 this is its habitual mode of obtaining its food : lying 

 motionless in wait, nearly concealed, the eyes and the 

 mouth both opening upwards, so that the former can 

 observe, and the latter seize, any vagrant crustacean, or 

 annelid, or young fish-fry that unsuspectingly swims 

 within reach. Its motions when its energies are aroused 

 are rapid, sudden, and forcible ; and it probably rarely 

 misses its victim when it makes its snap; while the 

 multitude of minute creatures that roam continually 

 over every part of the sea-bottom give no lack of 

 opportunities for the exercise of its instincts. He 

 fares sumptuously, no doubt. 



Here is in the drag a specimen of an interesting tribe 

 of fishes. It is the young of the common Thornback, 

 a little thing about five inches in width, and in its 



