THE BRAZILIAN P ERGO PHIS. 
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time, in the sand. It is, therefore, a fancy about star-gazing. Their goggle eyes, directed 
upward, suggested the name. Two species only are known to North American waters. 
The typical genus of this family is represented by several species, of which the Great 
Weaver is one of the most familiar. 
This species is the dread of fishermen, the wonnds occasioned by the sharp spine of 
the gill-cover, and those of the first dorsal fin, being extremely painful, and said to resemble 
the sting of a hornet, the evil effects extending from the hand up the arm, and even reaching 
the shoulder. On the first infliction of the injury, it gives little more pain than the prick of a 
pin or needle, but in a short time, a dull hot pain creeps up the arm, and increases in intensity 
for several hours. Fishermen, taught by experience, are very cautious in handling this 
dangerous fish, and before they plane it in their basket they cut off the whole of the first 
dorsal fin and the hinder part of the gill-cover. In France, this precaution is rendered 
compulsory by law. 
MEDITERRANEAN URANOSCOR'US— Uranoscopus sealer. GREAT WEAVER- PISH .— Trachinus draco. 
The curious fish called the Indian Sillaoo is a good example of a moderately large genus 
which is spread over many seas, being found on various shores from the Red Sea to the coast 
of Australia. 
The Indian Sillago is easily recognized by the extraordinary length of the second dorsal 
spine, which, in a good specimen, is developed to such an extent that it equals the length of 
the body. The use of this structure is very obscure. As its name imports, this fish inhabits 
the Indian seas, and is found in the Bay of Bengal and near the mouth of the Ganges. It is 
held in some estimation for the table, as its flesh is light, digestible, and well flavored. The 
color of the Indian Sillago is brown. 
The Brazilian Percophis is found upon the coasts of Brazil, and is apparently the sole 
representative of the genus in which it has been placed. The first dorsal fin is very small in 
proportion to the second, and the space between them is about equal to the length of the first 
dorsal. The ventral fins are set very far forward, being placed under the throat. The lower 
jaw projects considerably beyond the upper, and the cleft of the mouth is horizontal. The 
canine teeth are very large in proportion to tfle dimensions of the fish. 
