Seen bow E EV owe, 135 
the fpines that form the firft dorfal fin, which is dyed 
with black, and has a moft fufpicious afpeét. The 
remedy ufed by a fifherman in our neighbourhood is 
‘the fea fand, with which he rubs the place affected 
for a confiderable time *. 
This fifth buries itfelf in the fands, leaving only its 
nofe out, and if trod on immediately ftrikes with 
great force; and we have feen them direét their 
blows with as much judgment as fighting cocks. 
Notwithftanding this noxious property of the fpines, 
it is exceeding good meat. 
The Exgli/b name feems to have no meaning, being 
corrupted from the French, la vive, fo called as being 
capable of living long out of the water, eS 
_ to the interpretation of Belon. 
It grows to the length of twelve inches, but is 
Seely found much nies. 
The irides are yellow: the under jaw is longer 
than the upper, and flopes very much towards the 
belly: the teeth are {mall. 
The back is ftrait, the fides flat, the belly promi- 
nent, the lateral line ftrait: the covers of the gills 
are armed with a very ftrong fharp fpine. ° 
The firft dorfal fin confifts of five very ftrong 
fharp fpines, which, as well as the intervening mem- 
branes are tinged with black; this fin, when quief- 
cent, is lodged in a {mall hollow. 
The fecond confifts of feveral foft rays, com- 
mences jutt at the end of the firft, and continues 
* In the Univerfal Mufeum for November 1765, 13 an inftance 
of a perfon who was reduced to great danger by a wound from 
this fith, and who was cured by the application ae {weet oil, 
* and taking opium and venice treacle. 
K almot 
Name. 
Defcr. 
