1402 Fishes. 



but whichever part of the body I touched, it unerringly struck with 

 its spines, by bending the body and throwing its head back with a ra- 

 pid jerk. If a person should be unfortunate enough to be stung, the 

 best application is to rub into it equal parts of the tincture of opium 

 and olive oil. 



Lesser Weever, Trachinus viper a. This fish I have caught near 

 Hayle, as it lay in the wet sand. It is smaller and more active than 

 the last-named species, and as it is equally well-armed, I suppose it is 

 a more dangerous fish to handle : my specimen I killed before I took 

 it up. This fish, like all others which burrow in the sand, or use the 

 tail as a prehensile organ, has a pulsating sac about the root of the 

 caudal fin, from which blood is specially forwarded to all parts of 

 that organ. This "heart" has been figured by Dr. M. Hall, in his 

 work on the circulation, as it appears in the conger. 



Surmullet, Mullus surmuletus. In the district of the Land's End 

 this is a rare species, and those that occur are not so large as in the 

 eastern part of the county. In the winter it goes into deep water, 

 while in the early part of summer it approaches the shores, entering 

 our sandy creeks and up-rivers as far as the salt water rises. It pre- 

 fers a hard, sandy bottom, with a few rocks. Its food is the minute 

 Crustacea, and it breeds in the autumn. 



The whole of the Gurnards are characterized by the hardness or 

 bonyness of their cheeks. 



The Red Gurnard, Trigla cuculus. This species is frequently 

 called the " soldier," " cuckoo," " red ellick, " gaverick." It is 

 generally of a bright red colour, but when in high season, is spotted 

 with golden yellow. It is very common, and though not much 

 sought after for the table, yet forms a very palatable dish. Its name 

 of " cuckoo " is probably derived from the grunting sound it makes 

 after it is captured, which somewhat resembles the sound of the notes 

 of the bird of that name. 



Sapphirine Gurnard, T. hirundo. Common at all seasons on 

 rough ground: it is called by the Cornish fishermen "tubfish." 

 This is the best as well as the largest of the British Gurnards, and is 

 also the most brilliant. The pectoral fins, which are very large, and 

 generally expanded when the fish is caught, are of a bright red, with 

 azure-blue margins. 



The Piper, T. lyra. Common in Mount St. Ives, at uncertain 

 periods. The head is large, and the body tapers from it to the tail. 

 This also makes a noise when caught. 



Streaked Gurnard, T. lineata. This is rare, and very irregular 



