24 THE PISH OF DORSET. 



TRACHINUS DRACO. 



GREATER WEEVER. 



Is sometimes taken in trawls and on mackerel lines. It has a 

 very sharp spike on each gill cover, and also on the back, with 

 which it can inflict a nasty wound. Couch IL, p. 43, PI. LXXIII. 



TRACHINUS VIPERA. 



VIPER WEEVER. 



This little fish seldom exceeds 4 or 5 inches, and, like the 

 greater weever, has very sharp spikes, both on the gill covers and 

 back, with which it inflicts nasty wounds on the feet of bathers, as 

 it buries itself in the sand in shallow water, where it is often 

 caught in shrimp nets. Couch II., p. 48, PI. LXXIV. Day I., 

 p. 81, PL XXXI. 



SCLENA AQUILA. 



SCLENA. 



W. Thompson notes that one of these splendid fish was taken 

 near Weymouth about the year 1849. They run to a large size, 

 being often 5 to 6 feet long, and weigh up to lOOlb. Couch II., 

 p. 54, PI. LXXVI. Day L, p. 150, PI. L. 



LEPIDOPUS CAUDATUS. 



SCABBARD FISH. 



B. Wills, fisherman, of Poole, tells me he has taken this fish in 

 Studland Bay. Thompson also mentions it. but seems to have 

 confused it with Banks' oar-fish. Couch II., p. 59, PI. LXXVII. 

 Day L, p. 156, PI. LI., fig. 2. 



TRICHIURUS LEPTURUS. 



HAIR TAIL. 



W. Thompson records one of these fish, 3ft. Gin. long by Sin. 

 deep and lin. thick, as being taken by the smack Liberty at 

 Weymouth on 17th January, 1877. Day also says that one was 

 taken at Swanage about 2| feet long on 10th December, 1872. 

 Couch IL, p. 61, PI. LXXVIII. Day L, p. H4, PI. LI., fig 1. 



