42 CATECHISM OF 



the spawn of other fish ; hence it is highly preju- 

 dicial to fish-ponds. 



Q. Do not these fish appear in some places pe- 

 riodically ? 



A, Yes ; once in seven years these little crea- 

 tures are said to appear in the river Welland in 

 such prodigious numbers, that a man has been 

 known to gain four shillings a-day by taking them 

 and selling them for manure, at the rate of a half- 

 penny per bushel. 



Q. For what is the genus Scorpaena remarkable ? 

 A. The species of the genus Scorpsena are re- 

 markable for their uncouth and even disgusting 

 appearance, though most of them are excellent 

 for the table ; there are nine species, but a descrip- 

 tion of one will afford a general idea of the rest. 

 Q. What species do you select for that purpose ? 

 A. Scorpsena Horrida, horrid Scorpaena. This 

 species resembles rather a monster of deformity 

 than a regular production of nature ; the head is 

 very large, perfectly abrupt, and marked by nu- 

 merous tubercles, depressions, and spines; the 

 mouth is wide, and resembles a horse shoe in 

 shape. The general colour of this fish is a rusty 

 brown. It is a native of the Indian seas, and 

 measures twelve or fifteen inches in length. 



