fortescue

or 40-skewer

n.

a fish ofNew South Wales, Pentaroge marmorata, Cuv. and Val.,family Scorpaenidae; called also the Scorpion,and the Cobbler. All its names allude to the thornyspines of its fins. The name Fortescue is an adaptationof Forty-skewer by the law of Hobson-Jobson.

1882. Rev. J. E. Tenison-Woods, `Fish of New South Wales,'p. 49:

«Of this fish Mr. Hill says: The scorpion or Fortescue, asthese fish are popularly termed by fishermen, have been knownfor a long time, and bear that name no doubt in memory of thepain they have hitherto inflicted; and for its number and arrayof prickles it enjoys in this country the alias`Forty-skewer' or `Fortescure.' «

1896. F. G. Aflalo, `Natural History of Australia,' p. 228:

« Fortescue is a terrible pest, lurking among the debris in the nets and all but invisible, its spinesstanding erect in readiness for the unwary finger. And sointense is the pain inflicted by a stab, that I have seen astrong man roll on the ground crying out like a madman.»