PLATE XXIII. 
footed upon the sands, for should they happen to tread upon it, the 
Weever never fails to inflict a deep and grievous wound with the 
erected spines of this dorsal fin : in the first Instance it is exceedingly 
painful, attended with a violent burning, and sometimes a dangerous 
jnflamation of the whole limb almost immediately ensues. 
Mr. Pennant observes, it is a common opinion that these symp- 
toms 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 are made by the spines that form the first dorsal fin, 
which is dyed with black, and has a most suspicious aspect. The 
'flame writer likewise remarks, that the remedy used by the fishermen 
on tlie coast of Flintshire is the sea-sand, witli which they rub the 
wounded part for a considerable time ; at Scarborough, stale urine 
warmed has been used with success ; and in the Universal Museum, 
for November 1765, we find an instance of a person who was reduced 
to great danger by a wound from one of this species, and was cured 
by the application of sweet oil, and taking opium and Venice trea- 
cle*. — ^The fishermen in the South of France, apply leaves of the 
Lentisque, or Mastic Tree, which grows in that country. 
As the flesh of the Weever is excellent ; they are caught in 
great numbers on the coast of Holland, and, to prevent accidents, 
the dorsal fin is cut off before they are brought to market : this is 
but a necessary precaution, as the fish will live a considerable time 
out of the water ; Weevers thus deprived of their noxious weapon 
of offence, are sometimes exposed for sale in the fish-markets of 
London also. 
* Penn, Brit, Zeo!, 
