VIPER WEEVER. 
Little Weaver, Otterpike, 
Ray; Synopsis Piscium, p. 92. 
Donovan ; pi. 23. 
OuviEU. Jenyns; Manual, p. 336. 
Yakiusli; Br. Pishes, vol. i, p. 29. 
Gunthes; Cat. Br. M., vol. ii, p. 236. 
The reference we make to Ray’s “Synopsis,” which might 
be associated with another to Willoughby’s “History of Fishes,” 
affords no exception to the remark that this species was not 
known to naturalists until the early part of the present century; 
for before that time it was generally confounded with the 
Greater "Weever, already described, both as regards its form 
and habits. The Viper Weever, however, is common on most 
of the shores of Britain and Ireland, and in some parts is 
more common than the larger species. This is particularly the 
case in Scotland and the northern portions of the United 
Kingdom, which perhaps may be ascribed to the nature of 
the ground, as fitted to its habits, as much as to the cooler 
condition of the water. It is even more accustomed to hide 
its body in the sand than the former, and is quick to inflict 
its sting on the feet of such as may tread on it when thus 
concealed. It is also ready to give battle to those who may 
entangle it in a net or take it on a line, which Mr. Thompson 
reports as not uncommon at Youghal by boys fishing at the 
quays. I have known it taken in a harbour where salt and 
fresh water met together, with a preponderancy of the former. 
This fish rarely exceeds the length of four or five inches, 
and is proportionally deeper in the body than the Greater 
Weever, the greatest depth being immediately below the first 
dorsal fin. The front of the head appears less visibly armed 
than in the kindred species, but the principal spine on the 
