THE BRAZILIAN PERCOPHIS. 



23 9 



time, in the sand. It is, therefore, a, fancy about star-gazing. Their goggle eyes, directed 

 upward, suggested the name. Two species only are known to North American waters. 



The typical genus of this family is represented 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 S})ine 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 

 r the shoulder. On the first infliction of the injury, it gives little more pain than the prick of a 

 pin or needle, bur 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. 



MEDITERRANEAN URANOSCOPUS— XTranoscopus scaber. GREAT WEAVER- PISH.— Trachinus draco. 



The curious fish called the Indian Sillaoo is 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 imports, 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 Brazilian Peroophis is found upon the coasts of Brazil, and is apparently the sole 

 representative of the genus in which it has been placed. The first dorsal fin is very small in 

 proportion to the second, and the space between them is about equal to the length of the first 

 dorsal. The ventral fins are set very far forward, being placed under the throat. The lower 

 jaw projects considerably beyond the upper, and the cleft of the mouth is horizontal. The 

 canine teeth are very large in proportion to the dimensions of the fish. 



