POISONOUS BARRACOUTA.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 856, 31 August 1871, Page 3

POISONOUS BARRACOUTA.

("All the Year Bound.") In those countries in which poisonous fishes abound, certain tests have long been in general use with the view of deciding whether any particular specimen may be safely brought to table. M. Poey, who is the author of a_ magnificent work on the natural history of Cuba, states that "the means of recognising barracouta that are in a condition to produce mischief, is that the roots of their teeth will be found of a blackened colour, and that, wanting this mark, the fish may be eaten without fear; or," he adds, "if a silver spoon or coin, placed in the vessel in which the cooking is going on, is not blackened, the fish is equally safe." Dr Hill, to a certaiu degree, confirms the efficacy of the tooth test. Seeing a fine-looking barracouta (strietly speaking it is the becuna that both M. Poey and Dr Hill mean) nearly three feet long, and apparently in fine condition, be examined the teeth, and finding them faintly purple at the root, he remarked that the fine look of the fish would doubtless lead to its sale, but that injurious consequences would most probably result to those who partook of it. His prediction proved correct; " and it happened next morning that complaints were common in Spanish Town that many had suffered the well-known sickness from eating poisonous barracouta."