312 NATURALISTS CABINET. 



Rapacious disposition Easily taken. 



pectoral fins. When first caught, if held in the 

 hand, it makes a strong and peculiar sound by 

 the expulsion of air through its mouth. During 

 this action the mouth is opened to the utmost 

 width, the fins are extended, and the whole body 

 is agitated with a tremulous motion. 



In summer the father lasher repairs to the 

 coasts, but in winter keeps in the deep waters. 

 It is bold, but its voracity renders it imprudent, 

 so that it may be easily taken with a line. It is 

 of such a rapacious disposition as even to attack 

 fish much larger than itself, and pursues in par- 

 ticular young salmon and herrings. It is fre- 

 quently taken with torsk and other sea fish, 

 which it follows into the nets. The season for 

 spawning is Pecember and January, and it de- 

 posits its eggs among sea weed. 



This fish is not eaten in some countries, from 

 an idea that its flesh is of a venomous quality. 

 This opinion, doubtless, originates from the dan- 

 ger which in certain cases attends a wound with 

 its spines. In Denmark it is reckoned difficult 

 of digestion, and is used as food only by the poor. 

 In Norway nothing but the liver is used, and 

 from this an oil is extracted. The Greenlanders, 

 however, esteem it as food, and give it to the 

 sick as a very wholesome nourishment. They eat 

 it boiled, dried, and sometimes even raw ; they 

 are likewise very fond of its eggs. 



