Clafs IV. Bs eB 305 
who fometime boil them with a bit of bacon to give 
them a relifh. The roe is very noxious, affecting 
thofe who unwarily eat of it with a naufea, vomiting, 
purging, and a flight fwelling. 
It is fometimes found of the length of three feet, 
and eighteen pounds in weight: it is of a long and 
rounded form: the fcales not large. 
Its head is fmooth: the nottrils placed near the 
eyes : the mouth is placed below: on each corner is 
a fingle beard, and another on each fide the nofe. 
The dorfal fin is armed with a remarkable ftrong 
{fpine, fharply ferrated, with which it can inflict a 
very fevere wound on the incautious handler, and 
even do much damage to the nets. 
The pectoral fins are of a pale brown color ; ; the 
ventral and anal tipped with yellow : the tail’a little 
bifurcated, and of a deep purple: the fide line is 
iieaits 4: 
The f{cales are of a pale gold color, edged with 
black: the belly is white. 
(i. ‘The 
Defer, 
