REMORA; 159 



is the vent-fin : the pectoral fins are of a moderate size ; 

 the ventral very small. The colour is silvery, with a 

 yellowish cast on the upper parts. Its usual length is 

 about ten or twelve inches. The Dragon Weever inhabits 

 the Mediterranean and Northern seas, commonly frequent- 

 ing the coasts, and often lying in the sand. If trodden 

 upon, it strikes backward with great violence, aiming to 

 wound with the spines of the first dorsal-fin. The pricks 

 of this part are so troublesome, that it is a law in France 

 that the fisherman shall cut it off before the fish is offered 

 for sale. Violent heat, pain, and inflammation, are the 

 attendant symptoms. The English fishermen rub the 

 affected part with sea-sand -, many other cures are common 

 among the people. The Weever is much esteemed as an 

 article of food in France, Holland, &c. It feeds principally 

 on marine insects, worms, and small fishes ; it is killed with 

 difficulty, and lives many hours out of water ; the skin is 

 remarkably tough. 



EEMOBA 



This genus is remarkable for its power of attaching 

 itself very strongly to a ship, rock, large fish, or other 

 object. There are three known species, which do not 

 differ materially. The Mediterranean Remora, or Sucks- 

 ing Fish, is about eighteen inches long, of a slender make, 

 and uniform brown colour. Its shield is formed of 

 transverse bars, strengthened by one across, all fringed 

 with hairlike teeth, by means of which the creature 

 adheres with astonishing strength. It is supposed to use 

 this faculty for supporting itself in the water, as it is not 

 able to swim well of its own strength. Great numbers 

 frequently adhere to the bottom of a ship, and greedily 

 devour all that is thrown from it. It was formerly said 

 that this fish, by sticking to the bottom of a ship, stopped 

 its course. This was of course a fable. 



