the weever, a genus of fishes belonging to the order of jugulares. There is but one species, viz. the draco, or common weever. The qualities of this fish were well known to the ancients, who take notice of them without any exaggeration: the wounds inflicted by its spines are exceedingly painful, attended with a violent burning and most pungent shooting, and sometimes with an inflammation that will extend from the arm to the shoulder.

It is a common notion, that these symptoms proceed from something more than the small wound this fish is capable of inflicting; and that there is a venom infused at least into the wounds made by the spines that form the first dorsal fin, which is dyed with black, and has a most suspicious aspect; though it is possible, that the malignity of the symptoms arises from the habit of body the person is in, or the part in which the wound is given. The remedy used by some fishermen is the sea sand, with which they rub the place affected for a considerable time. At Scarborough, stale urine warmed is used with success. In the Universal Museum for November 1765, is an instance of a person who was reduced to great danger by a wound from this fish, and who was cured by the application of sweet oil, and taking opium and Venice treacle.

This fish buries itself in the sands, leaving only its nose out, and if trod on immediately strikes with great force; and they have been seen directing their blows with as much judgment as fighting cocks. Notwithstanding this noxious property of the spines, it is exceeding good meat.

The English name seems to have no meaning, being corrupted from the French la vive, so called as being capable of living long out of the water, according to the interpretation of Belon. It grows to the length of 12 inches, but is commonly found much less; the irides are yellow; the under jaw is longer than the upper, and slopes very much towards the belly; the teeth are small; the back is straight, the sides are flat, the belly is prominent, the lateral line straight; the covers of the gills are armed with a very strong spine; the first dorsal fin consists of five very strong spines, which, as well as the intervening membranes, are tinged with black; this fin, when quiescent, is lodged in a small hollow; the second consists of several soft rays, commences just at the end of the first, and continues almost to the tail; the pectoral fins are broad and angular; the ventral fins small; the vent is placed remarkably forward, very near the throat; the anal fin extends to a small distance from the tail, is a little hollowed in the middle, but not so much as to be called forked; the sides are marked lengthwise with two or three dirty yellow lines, and transversely by numbers of small ones; the belly silvery.