106 THE COMMERCIAL SEA FISHES OF 



winter months appears to retire to deep water, returning in 

 the spring in excellent condition. It seems to prefer during 

 the warm months rough ground to deep water, as well as 

 sandy bays where weeds and small fishes abound. It has 

 been said to grunt or groan when being removed from the 

 water. It has a very voracious appetite. One which 

 weighed I Ib. I oz. was found to contain eighteen sprats, 

 two sand-smelts, and one cuttle-fish, besides a number of 

 small fish in a decomposed state. From another, 12 J in. 

 in length, Couch took twenty-five "flounders," some of 

 which were 2 J inches in length, three half-grown " father- 

 lashers," and five stones from the beach. It, however, was 

 so gorged that it permitted itself to be taken by the hand. 



Mr. Saville-Kent has drawn particular attention to the 

 manner in which this fish uses its fins, the movements of 

 which he, with great justice, likens to that of the dorsal fin 

 in the pipe-fish. This rapid motion affects the soft rays and 

 inter-radial membrane of the dorsal, anal, and pectoral fins, 

 all, or merely some of which, may be in motion at the same 

 time. This may be perceived both when they are ascending 

 in the water, descending, or even when reclining over on 

 one side ; but they are likewise able to move their fins more 

 slowly, as generally seen in fishes. 



Many cases of whitlow, involving the loss of joints of 

 fingers, are occasioned from injuries inflicted by the spines 

 placed at the base of the dorsal and anal fins in these 

 fishes. 



Means of capture and baits. It is obtained most 

 abundantly during summer and autumn, but some are 

 captured throughout the year. It will take a spinning bait ; 

 a baby-spinner tagged with a small strip of prepared ray's 

 skin, and a rod with fine tackle has been recorded as killing. 

 One of the best baits is a small fish, especially a young sea- 



