THE WEEVER. 1*]J 



The weever is frequent in the Mediterranean, where 

 it grows from ten to fifteen feet in length ; it is capable 

 of infli61:ing a verj fevere wound by the fpines of the 

 firft dorfal iin, which, if neglected, becomes cancerous, 

 according to Rondeletius *. For feveral hours, the part 

 afFecled is attended with a violent burning, and lliooting 

 pain, fometimes with an inflamation, that reaches from 

 the arm to the fnoulder. Thefe effects are commonly 

 fuppofed to proceed from fomething venemous, lodged in 

 the fpines, which look indeed fufpicious; for thofe of the 

 firft dorfal fin are dyed with a blackidi fubftance. Vari- 

 ous remedies are applied to relieve the pain of this wound. 

 Rondeletius recommends the fleih or brains of the animal ; 

 our filhermen rub the parts affefted with fea fand ; while 

 thofe of Scarborough fuccefsfully ufe Hale urine, ap- 

 plied warm. 



This animal is excellent food, and therefore is often 

 taken, notwithftanding the noxious quality of the fpines : 

 it buries itfelf in the fand, leaving only its nofe out ; and 

 if trodden on, immediately llrikes with great force, each 

 blow directed with a degree of judgment that evinces a. 

 confcioufnefs in the animal of its own noxious powers f. 

 Willoughhy defcribes three fpecies belonging to this ge- 

 nus ; the firft is the filli above defcribed ; the fecond a 

 larger kind, feen at Rome, with beautiful variegated co- 

 lours ; raid the third a Brazilian filL, called ?ii(^rii by the 

 natives. 



* Dapifcibuf, 300. f Brit. Zcol. dafs iv. genus 18. 



Vol. III. 



