SHARKS AXD RAYS. 237 



This species occurs fairly abundantly in the Mediter- 

 ranean Sea, where it is known to the French fishermen as 

 "Squale Ange" and to the Italians as "Angelo." Fiom this 

 it will be quite apparent, that the fancied resemblance to an 

 "Angel" is very widespread. 



The colours of this fish are so arranged, as to exactly 

 assimilate it to the sandy surroundings, upon which it is 

 usually found on our coast. A fine specimen which I re- 

 cently handled, was of a beautiful creamy sand colour, 

 speckled all over with a very light fawny-brown, with the 

 exception of larger and smaller ocellations here and there, 

 which were of the cream ground colour. Even the borders 

 of the eyes themselves (the irides} were speckled in the 

 same manner, the pupil being a narrow black slit. This 

 example measured 3 feet 5 inches, and was captured in 

 Port Jackson. After capture, it gave birth to a number 

 of young, which were perfectly formed, and were about 10 

 inches long. They were of a still lighter tint than the 

 parent. 



The Numb-Fish: This species is usually known to the 

 fishermen of New South Wales as "Nummy," from its power 

 of temporarily benumbing parts of the human body with 

 which it comes in contact, through the sudden delivery of 

 sharp electric shocks. 



It is very flat and thick, with a rounded margin, the 

 tail being very short. 



It is common along the coast of New South Wales, 

 attaining a length of nearly 3 feet. 



On each side of the head, is an apparatus for the 

 generation of electricity ; and large fishes are able to give 

 quite a powerful shock. 



Other names for this and an allied species (Narcine) 

 are "Electric Ray," "Torpedo Ray" and "Cramp Fish." 



The Common Stingray : This well-known and 

 greatly-abhorred Ray, occurs very commonly along the 

 coast of New South Wales, where it is the bete noire of the 

 fishermen. Though a comparatively small species, growing 

 to about 2 feet in length, it is able to inflict with its sharp, 

 barbed caudal spine the most painful and dangerous wounds, 

 wounds which very often take many months to heal, and 



