scorpæna

sea-scorpion.] [Lat., from Gr. skorpaina =a 1. Ichthyology : The typical genus of Scorpænide (q. v.), with about forty species from tropical and sub-tropical seas. Head large, slightly compre ed, armed with spines, and generally with tentacles; mouth large, oblique, villiform teeth; no air-bladder. They are small sedentary fishes, none probably exceeding a length of eighteen inches, usually lying hidden in sands or beneath seaweed, watching their prey fishes smaller than themselves. Their strong pectoral rays a ist them in burrowing or in moving along the bottom. Coloration an irregular mottling of red, brown, yellow, and black, varying greatly in its distribution. The flesh is well-flavored. Their fin-spines inflict exceedingly painful wounds, but these are not followed by any serious consequences. 2. Palæont.: [SCORPÆNIDE, 2.]