4o SEA-FISH. 
the sharp spines behind the gill-covers, as, in a 
lesser degree, those on the dorsal fin, on account 
of their poisonous properties. These fishes 
lie in the sand, the eyes only exposed, 
and readily take any bait that lingers in reach. 
They are unusually prevalent after a spell of 
easterly wind, and are commonly called “sting- 
fish,” a name which is, however, indiscriminately 
applied to the equally abundant sea-scorpion. 
Weevers 
This, one of the most familiar of the cod 
family, is generally known by the sobriquet of 
“silver whiting,” to distinguish it, no doubt, 
5 from the pout and pollack, to both of 
which the name of whiting is locally attached. 
The distinguishing features of the whiting are the 
absence of the family beard, the black lateral line, 
the black spot on the pectoral fin, and the more 
elongated form than that of the majority of its con- 
geners. The whiting is, unlike the pout and pollack, 
a sand-fish, though I have occasionally made good 
catches right on the rocks, more usually, however, 
on the hard sand at the edge of a reef. It feeds as 
a rule about a fathom from the ground in deep 
water, not more than a foot from the bottom if 
in a depth of less than ten fathoms. (This, of 
course, with the local exceptions permitted to 
every rule.) Whiting are taken weighing over 
4 Ibs., but a 3 lb. fish is a “specimen.” 
Whitin 
In the wrasses, characterised by their thick 
mobile lips, and strong crushing teeth, 
most of them brightly coloured, we have 
a large group of fish practically useless for the 
table, but continually invading the hook, especi- 
Wrasses 
