THE INDIAN SILLAGO. 261 



Though a smaller species than the Great Weaver, it is even more obnoxious to the 

 public, as it has an unpleasant habit of frequenting the shore, especially where the sand 

 is mixed with mud, and there burying itself, leaving only the head exposed. In this 

 position it awaits its prey, which consists of the smaller crustacean and similar marine 

 animals, and if touched, it aims a blow at the intruder with marvellous precision and 

 force. These peculiarities render the fish an object of detestation to timid bathers, who 

 are afraid to venture out of their depth, as well as to those who are fond of wading in 

 the sea in the hope of discovering some new form of animal life, or watching the native 

 habits of known species. 



Whether any venomous substance is secreted by the fish and introduced by means of 

 the spines is a point which has not yet fairly been settled ; but on a superficial view of 

 the subject, the violently inflammatory symptoms which mostly supervene upon the 

 wound, afford reasons for surmising that an injurious influence of some kind is exerted, 

 though its source and action are as yet obscure. 



5T1NQ-FISM. Trachlaus vipers. 



In this, as in the preceding species, the vertical position of the mouth, awkward as 

 it may appear when the fish is lying upon a rock or a table, is yet extremely useful 

 and permits the fish to seize its prey while it remains half buried in the mud or 

 sand. 



The color of the Sting-fish is reddish gray on the back, and silvery white on the 

 abdomen and lower part of the flanks. The membrane of the first dorsal fin is black, 

 and the tail fin is tipped with the same color ; the other fins are brown. 



THE curious fish which is represented in the engraving affords a good example of a 

 moderately large genus which is spread over many seas, being found on various shores 

 from the Red Sea to the coast of Australia. 



The INDIAN SILLAGO is easily recognized by the extraordinary length of the second 

 dorsal spine, which in a good specimen is developed to such an extent that it equals 

 the length of the body. The use of this structure is very obscure. As its name im- 

 ports, this fish inhabits the Indian seas, and is found in the Bay of Bengal and near 

 the mouth of the Ganges. It is held in some estimation for the table, as its flesh is light, 

 digestible, and well-flavored. The color of the Indian Sillago is brown. 



THE members of the genus Percophis are remarkable for the great proportionate 

 length and cylindrical form of the body ; a modification of structure which has gained 

 for them the generic title, which is of Greek origin, and signifies Perch-Snake. The 

 scales are of the kind denominated ctenoid. 



