17^ THE WEEVER* 



Genus XXIII. Tthe Weever *. 



i HERE are feveral fpecies of this genus found on the 

 Britijli coafts, although Linnaeus only mentions one, the 

 draco, a fifh of along and compreffed figure, marked upon 

 the fides by a number of cinereous lines, that arife from 

 the middle of the back, and proceed along the fides to- 

 wards the belly. The two lateral lines that extend from 

 the gills to the tail, are placed much nearer the back 

 than thofe of any other filh. The hranchice are yellow, 

 the belly white, and the whole body is covered with 

 fmall thin fcales. The eyes are placed remarkably near 

 to the fnout; the irides are yellow, pundluated with black 

 fpots. The lower jaw proje£l:s beyond the upper; both arm- 

 ed with fmall teeth. The apertures of the gills are un- 

 commonly large, and each of the covers is furnilhed 

 upon the upper angle, with a ftrong ftiarp fpine. The 

 doifalfins are two ; the firll confiding of five fharp prick- 

 ly rays ; the fecond is fupported only by cartilaginous 

 rays, and is prolonged almoll to the tail. The perioral 

 fins are fituated lower than ufual ; the ventral fins are ju- 

 gular, each llrengthened by fix rays. The anus is not 

 far from the throat ; and from it to the tail, there pro- 

 ceeds a long fin fortified by thirty-two rays, which pro- 

 ie6t beyond the membrane that connedls them f . 



The 



* Tracbinus Draco, Lin. Syft. Draco Marinus, Pllmi. 

 f Vid: Willough. page a88. 



