TORPEDO. 129 



the front almost straight, except that it slightly recedes at the 

 place where the snout is usually found slightly projecting in 

 the family of Rays; and a small projection is to be discerned 

 at the border opposite each eye. The thickness and plumpness 

 of the body extend to near the circumference. The eyes small, 

 and embedded in the surface, so that the sight appears directed 

 upward; but they do not strictly answer to each other. Spi- 

 racles oval, simple, a corner directed obliquely forward. The 

 right ventral fin passing a little further back than the left; 

 side of the caudal portion having a ridge. The first dorsal fin 

 at the part where the caudal portion joins the disk, at the end 

 of the ventrals; second dorsal a little behind the first, and 

 smaller. Tail with a lobe below and above, the edge of the 

 lower portion passing a little further forward than the upper. 

 The mouth small, arched, the teeth sharp, and moveable, from 

 the loose condition of the membrane on which they are placed; 

 the jaw-bone slight and feeble. Nostrils nearer the sides of the 

 mouth than in the Rays generally; connected to each other by 

 a loose fimbriated curtain, which has a deeper notch in the 

 middle. Colour dark brown, with a tinge of blackish purple; 

 a lighter brown margin round the eyes. It was a female. 



Examples of this fish have been obtained in different parts 

 of England and Ireland; and we may suppose it is only because 

 fishermen do not often resort to the slimy and unproductive 

 places it frequents, that it is not much more frequently caught. 

 Five were noticed in one year in the Mount's Bay, in Corn- 

 wall; two or three came under the observation of William P. 

 Cocks, Esq., of Falmouth; and an example was obtained at 

 Weymouth, by William Thompson, Esq. A specimen has been 

 seen that weighed a hundred pounds; but it is to be remarked 

 that the spots which were so conspicuous in these fishes in the 

 Mediterranean, have not been noticed with us. A snout, how- 

 ever, was discernible in one or two, at least, which were obtained 

 in the Mount's Bay. 



Torpedo's Teeth, enlarged size. 



