EAGLE KAY. 237 



cast two specimens of this fish caught at Heme Bay. 

 The spines on the tail are very formidable weapons 

 indeed, and inflict severe womids. The fishermen 

 generally chop his tail off with an axe du'ectly he is out 

 of the water. 



The Eagle, or Whip Eay (German : Der Meeradler ; 

 French : llaie Airjle), is also called the Miller, on 



EAGLE KAY (Myliobatis aquila, Rala aquila). 



account of the form of its teeth. Each jaw forms 

 part of a circle, and from a particular rolling motion, 

 added to the crushing power of these teeth, the genus 

 has obtained the name of MyUobatis, i.e., Mill Skate. 

 It is extensively distributed, and attains a large size, 

 sometimes measuring fifteen feet in length, and w^eigh- 

 ing SOOlbs. " It swims pretty rapidly, with a kind 

 of sailing motion, and little action of the pectoral 

 fins, and when taken vibrates its tail violently; the 

 first care of the fishermen is, therefore, to cut off the 

 caudal spine, which in a large specimen is a very 

 formidable implement." 



In November, 1871, Mr. Frank Gorden, fishmonger, 

 of Exeter, obtained a specimen from Brixham. The 



