THE WEEVER. 
177 
The weever is frequent in the Mediterranean , where 
J t grows from ten to fifteen feet in length ; it is capable 
of inflicting a very fevere wound by the fpines of the 
; "rfl dorfal fin, which, if neglected, becomes cancerous, 
According to Rondeletius *. For feveral hours, the part 
effected is attended with a violent burning, and fhooting 
Pain, fometimes with an inflamation, that reaches from 
the arm to the fhonlder. Tiiefe effedls are commonly 
fuppofed to proceed from fomething venemous, lodged in 
*he fpines, which look indeed fufpicious; for thofe of the 
f'tft dorfal fin are dyed with a blackifh fubftance. Vari- 
ous remedies are applied to relieve the pain of this wound. 
Rondeletius recommends the flefh or brains of the animal ; 
° Ur fiihermen rub the parts affedted with fea fand ; while 
t "hofe of Scarlorough fuccefsfully ufe flale urine, ap- 
plied warm. 
This animal is excellent food, and therefore is often 
^*ken, notwithftanding the noxious quality of the fpines : 
buries itfelf in the fand, leaving only its nofe out ; and 
trodden on, immediately flrikes with great force, each 
°W directed with a degree of judgment that evinces a 
c °nfcioufnefs in the animal of its own noxious powers f, 
^‘Uoughby deferibes three fpecies belonging to this ge- 
J 1 * 15 > the firft is the fifh above deferibed ; the fecond a 
^ ar ger kind, feen at Rome, with beautiful variegated cq- 
° Urs 5 and the third a Brazilian fifh, called niqui by the 
natives. 
’^ >e PTcibus, 300. f Brit, Zool. clafs iv. genus 18. 
VOL. IIJ. 
Z 
