Class IV. COMMON WEEVER. 227 



violent burning, and most pungent shooting, and 

 sometimes with an inflammation that will ex- 

 tend from the arm to the shoulder.* It is 

 a common notion that these symptoms proceed 

 from something more than the small wound 

 this fish is capable of inflicting ; and that there 

 is a venom infused into it, at least such as is 

 made by the spines that form the first dorsal 

 fin, which is dyed with black, and has a most 

 suspicious aspect. The remedy used by a fisher- 

 man in our neighbourhood is the sea sand, with 

 which he rubs the place affected for a consider- 

 able time, t At Scarborough, stale urine, warm- 

 ed, is used with success. 



This fish buries itself in the sands, leaving 

 only its nose out, and, if trod on, immediately 

 strikes with great force ; and we have seen it 

 direct its blows with as much judgment as a 

 fighting cock. 



* It is probable that the malignity of the symptoms arises from 

 the habit of body the person is in, or the part in which the 

 wound is given. 



f In the Universal Museum for November I760, is an instance 

 of a person who was reduced to great danger by a wound from 

 this fish, and who was cured by the application of sweet oil, and 

 taking opium and Venice treacle. 



[We may add, on the authority of the reverend Hugh Davies, 

 that a cure may be effected by the application of the liver of the 

 Weever to the wound. Ed. 



Q 2 



