304 



VENOMS 



in wait fou their prey at the hottom of the water in the niud 

 of the shore. In order to attract it, they make use of cutaneous 

 appendages attached to their spines, which they are able to ele- 

 vate, and of filaments situated near the mouth. 



The principal genus is Lopliius, one species of which, L. settgenis 

 (fig. ll'2),is found in the seas of China and Japan. Another species, 

 L. piscatoriits (the Sea Devil or Angler), occurs in the temperate 

 climates of Europe, North America, Asia and Africa. 



Certain other Acantliopterygii are capable of inflicting ivounds, 

 but, although fishermen often believe them to be venomous, or such 





Fia. 113. — Scrrnnus oiiatahiU. (After Savtsclienko.) 



properties are frequently attributed to them in stories, it is doubt- 

 ful whetlier they possess poison-glands. The accidents produced 

 by them are due rather to the fact that the spines in their fins 

 are extremely sharp, and that their flesh is toxic. Those belonging 

 to the PercidcB (the Perch family), especially the genus Serranux 

 and .S'. ouatihili (fig. 113) in ])ai-ticu]ar, are above all remarkable 

 in this respect. The last-mentioned fish has two or three spines 

 on its operculum. 



The same may be said of certain Sqiiaiiupinnc:^, another family 

 of Acantlioptenjgii, wliose stout Ijodies are lirightly c(.)loured, and 

 have very sliarp, spiny rays in tlicir dorsal and anal fins. The 



