SCORPENA, in ichthyology, a genus belonging to the order of thoracici. The head is large and sharp; the eyes are near each other; there are teeth in the jaws, palate, and fauces; and there are seven rays in the membrane of the gill. The species are three, viz. the porcus, serosa, and horruda. According to Mr Willoughby, the scorpana is a fish of the anguilliform kind, called by the people of Corawall father-losher. Scorpana is also the name of a fish caught in many parts of the Mediterranean. It seldom grows to more than a pound weight. Its body is long, but not flattened, and is moderately thick. Its head is extremely large, and is armed with prickles, and it grows gradually less from thence to the tail. The prickles about the head are accounted venomous, and the fishermen usually cut them off as soon as the fish is caught. Its tail is not forked, but rounded at the end. The belly and belly-fins are reddish.