Venomous Fish.

Hastings Standard, Issue 479, 18 November 1897, Page 4

Venomous Fish.

In many seas, especially those of the tropics, are found fish provided with a poison apparatus, which consists usually of a spine or spines more or less erectile in character, and connected with a poison gland. Professor James D. Brunton gives an account of two, the Trachinis draco and scropha, says Appleton's " Popular Science monthly." They are only poisonous as a serpent is poisonous—i.e., by wounding ; their flesh is good and wholesome. Although the fish differ greatly in appearance yet the poison produces the same effect. The Trachinis draco is a handsome fish, not unlike the trout in general appearance. Upon each of its gill covers is situated the spine, connected with its poison gland through a duct formed by the combination of a groove in the spine and a very thin membrane which covers the spine almost to its point. The Seorpaana is squat of body, with a large misshapen head. It may attain a large size, and is called by the French fisherman "le diable." The special organ is connected with the first three rays of the dorsal fin. There is also a spine on each gill cover connected with a poison gland. A wound from either fish is a serious matter. At the moment of puncture only a sharp prick is felt. In a few minutes the parts begin to burn and itch, and then become acutely painful. The pains increase in violence and extent. Then a feeling of suffocation is felt, and pain over the heart. From this time commences cries of anguish which can always be recognised as caused by the acutest torture and feat. The cries are continuous, and bea,ds of sweat stand on the brow. Flashes of light pass before the eyes, and the pulse is found to beat intermittently. Finally, delirium and convulsions supervene, which may pass on to collapse and death, or may, after lasting for many hours, gradually subside, leaving a malaise which is very difficult to get rid of. The point of puncture soon shows the results of inteusc irritation, and may eventually become gangrenous and necessitate amputation. The treatment is practically the same as that for a snake bite. The poison is secreted in large quantities at spawning season, and is most active in the male fish. On coasts where these fish abound bathers are frequently poisoned when stepping on one of them, the Trachinii being especially fond of concealing themselves just under the sand in shallow water.