594 



RAIID.E. 



tail is always cut off under a local regulation. The wounds 

 produced by these caudal spines are considered so dangerous 

 that the fishermen cut them off as soon as they get the fish 

 out of the water ; Risso, however, says that the common 

 notion that these spines possess venomous qualities is a mis- 

 take. Spallanzani and many other observers had satisfied 

 themselves that these serrated spines, when driven with force, 

 penetrating and tearing at the same time, though producing 

 painful wounds, leave no trace of the least poison. Risso 

 further mentions that the Eagle Ray swims rapidly without 

 much action of the pectoral fins ; that the flesh is not in 

 great estimation, but that the oil from the liver is considered 

 useful in paralytic affections. 



I find this species, the one last described, the Sting Ray, 

 a Torpedo, and four other species of Rays, included in a 

 catalogue of one hundred and thirty-seven different kinds of 

 fish, of Malta and Gozo, with their Maltese, Latin, Italian, 

 English, and French names, as well as their season, by 

 Gaetano Trapani, first clerk in the Office of the Magistrate 

 for the markets, printed at the Government Press, Malta, 

 1838. For a copy of this very useful little book I am 

 indebted to the kindness of Mrs. Sarah Austin, a sister of 

 Richard Taylor, Esq. 



