206 



FISHES FOR MARINE AQUARIA. 



is more slender and tapering. It is very abundant 

 on the southern and western coasts of England. 



A fish which bears a bad reputation among the 

 fishermen is the lesser weever, or " sting fish " 

 (Trachinus vipera). It is said to lie on the bottom of 



Fig. 137- 



Piper (Trigla lyrd). 

 Fig. 138. 



Lesser Weever (Trachinus vipera]. 



the boat quiet enough until something or somebody 

 comes within its reach, and then to bound up and 

 drive the sharp thorn-like rays of its dorsal fin into 

 its enemy. Dr. Gunther has proved that the fisher- 

 men are right in holding that the wound thus made 

 in the flesh is poisoned, and that the double-grooved 



