238 FISHES OF AUSTRALIA. 



in some cases, cause permanent disablement. At times 

 these and others of our many Stingrays may be easily 

 captured in thousands. Though no attempt is made at the 

 present time to utilise them, this could easily be profitably 

 done, as the "wings" or pectoral flaps could be converted 

 into gelatine, while much oil could be obtained from the 

 livers, the residue being then turned into a fertiliser, rich 

 in phosphates. 



The Thorn-tailed Stingray : This fearsome fish, which 

 attains a weight of between 5 and 6 hundredweight, is, as 

 far as we at present know, only obtained on the coast of 

 New South Wales. Its tail is armed in a most terrible 

 manner. In addition to possessing the long serrated spine, 

 set in the back of the tail, which is so typical of the Sting- 

 rays in general, it has, all over the skin of the tail, cal- 

 careous plates varying from an inch or more in diameter, 

 down to the smallest of asperities. Each of these dermal 

 plates, has in its centre a short, stout and acute spine. The 

 caudal-spine or "sting" itself, sometimes reaches a length 

 of 15 inches (occasionally there are two or three). 



The tail being long, muscular, powerful and lithe, it 

 can better be imagined than described, what fearful des- 

 truction could be wrought bv it, and it is well for our surf- 

 bathers, that the Thorn-tailed Stingray (known also as 

 "Black Stingray") is not abundant in the shallower 

 waters. The tail is sometimes 6 feet in length. 



Prince Alfred's Ray : This is the name given to a 

 huge Ray which is sometimes taken on the coast of New 

 South Wales. One specimen captured in 1868 at Manly 

 Beach, Port Jackson, measured n feet in breadth. 



In this Ray, the head is free from the pectoral flaps, is 

 truncated in front, and possesses on each side, a horn-like 

 appendage pointing forward and inward. The mouth is in 

 front (not beneath as is usual amongst the Rays) and is 

 very wide. 



The specific name of alfredi was given this species in 

 honour of the King's brother, the late Prince Alfred. 



