'2 ^uxTi;ir,rn>Ns TO NUKTII A.MKRICAN ICHTHYOLOGY iv. 



* 



FAMILY XXI II. UKPIIALOPTERIDJE. 



(Tin- Xrtl Mr/V.v.) 



- nf enormous si/.r, with tin 1 disk broader tlian long and the pec- 

 toral tins not continued on the sidcsof the head, the anterior or cephalic 

 poni.ni developed as two Ion-' ear-like appendages. Mouth wide, ter- 

 minal or inferior. Teeth very small, llat or tubercular, in many series. 

 those of the upper jaw sometimes wanting. Eyes Literal. Nostrils 

 widely separated, their valves united, forming a Hap as wide as the cleft 

 of the mouth. Tail long and slender, whip-like, with a single dorsal iin 

 at its base, and with or without a serrated spine. Ventral fins not 

 cmarginatc. Skin more or less rough. Males without differentiated 

 spines on the pectorals, the sexes similar. Ovoviviparous. General'; 

 species about 7. Largest of all rays and among the largest of all fishes. 

 Found in the tropical seas. 



i \liilinhiitiiln; '^roiip H. <'rriiti>i>tr>-iiia Giintlirr, viii. I'.'.'* 1'.'-. ) 



ili in lower ja\v only : mouth tcnnimil .............................. MAXTA. 44. 



44. UIANTA U:mi-roft. 

 (<'rr<il]>l<ra MiilliT A Ili-nlc.) 



.' -riift. Zoi',1. Join n.-il. I-. 1 --'-.".!, iv, 111: type d i>h'iljili rn mantn Bancroft = T!ni,i 

 Iris \V;ill<;mill.) 



I>i-k broader than long, its exterior angles acute, the posterior mar- 

 gins of the p.-ctorals concave. Head truncate in front; the cephalic. 

 I'm- Ion-', turned forward and inward. Month large, terminal. Teeth 

 minute, pre-ent in lower jaw only. Tail whip-like, often (always?) with- 

 out serrated .-pine. Skin rough, with small tubercles. Two species 

 known. iM<nil<t, blanket, "a name used at the pearl fisheries between 

 I' oama aid ('inaya<|iiil to designate an' enormous fish much dreaded 

 b\ the divers, \\ho:n it is >aid to devour after enveloping them in its 

 ' 



7O. H. hirosli-is Wnlliinini) .l..nl;in A Cillin i . Sea Devil; I > >-i! l-'i^i : Mania. 



Di-lv no) .piite twice aa broad as long. Tail about as long as the disk. 



T--''ih in al ..... t KM) longitudinal series, which are separated by distinct 



inteix|,:ir, Skin of body and tail everywhere covered with small 



Mate tubercle,, rendering the surface very rough. Brownish, the 



