2f>0 THE STING-FISH.. 



mentioned is set before and below the tongue, and the shoulder and gill-covers are 

 armed with an array of strong sharp spines. 



THE typical genus of this family is represented in England by several species, of 

 which the GREAT WEAVER is one of the most familiar. 



This species is the dread of fishermen, the wounds occasioned by the sharp ppine of 

 the gill-cover, and those of the first dorsal fin, being extremely painful, and said to 

 resemble the sting of a hornet, the evil effects extending from the hand up the arm, and 

 even reaching the shoulder. On the first infliction of the injury, it gives little more 

 pain than the prick of a pin or needle, but in a short time, a dull hot pain creeps up 

 the arm, and increases in intensity for several hours. Fishermen, taught by experience, 

 are very cautious in handling this dangerous fish, and before they place it in their 

 basket, they cut off the whole of the first dorsal fin and the hinder part of the gill-cover 

 In France, this precaution is rendered compulsory by law. 



GREAT WEAVER-FISH. TrachiMU draco. 



The same remedies as those employed for the bite of the viper, such as persevering 

 friction with hot oil, are said to be the best means of relieving the pain caused by thin 

 small but formidable fish. One of these Weavers has been known to strike three men 

 successively, and to injure them all in the same manner. 



It is very tenacious of life, and its popular title of Weaver has no connexion with 

 loom, but is an Anglicized corruption of the French name La Vive, given to it in 

 reference to the ease with which it endures absence from water. By our fishermen it is 

 also known by the expressive appellations of STING-BULL and SEA-CAT ; the former name 

 being given to it because it is supposed to be able to sting even the tough-hided 

 monarch of the herd, and the latter from the deep pricks and scratches inflicted by r 

 talon-like spines. . , 



The head and body of the Great Weaver are much compressed, and its colour is ( 

 reddish grey on the back, with a wash of brown, fading to light grey on the abdomen, 

 and marked with oblique ochreous lines. The gill-cover is streaked with yellow 

 operculum is armed with a very long and sharp spine, pointing backward, 

 is generally about one foot; but specimens have occasionally been captured that 

 measured sixteen or seventeen inches in length. 



ANOTHER smaller species of this genus is common on our shores rather too common 

 in fact and is popularly known by the appropriate names of STING-FISH, OTTER-PIKE, 

 and LESSER W T EAVER, the last name being given to it on account of its comparatively 

 diminutive form, its length seldom exceeding five inches. 



