MARINE ANIMALS THAT STING 



65 



to the gill chamber. Externally, ratfishes are more or less com- 

 pressed laterally, tapering posteriorly to a slender tail. The snout 

 is rounded, or cone-shaped, extended as a long pointed beak, or 

 bears a curious hoe-shaped proboscis. There are two dorsal fins. 

 The first fin is triangular, usually higher than the second, and edged 

 anteriorly by a strong, sharp-pointed bony spine which serves as 

 a venom organ (Fig. 36). Ratfishes have a preference for cooler 



Fig. 36. Dorsal spine of the ratfish, Hydrolagus colliei (Lay and Bennett). 



waters, and have a depth range from the surface down to 1400 

 fathoms. They are weak swimmers and die soon after being re- 

 moved from the water. They have well-developed dental plates and 

 can inflict a nasty bite. Only two species have been studied to any 

 extent by venomologists. 



Species of Ratfishes : 



European Chimaera, Chimaera monstrosa Linnaeus (Fig. 37, Top) . 

 Inhabits the north Atlantic Ocean from Norway and Iceland to Cuba, 

 the Azores, Morocco, Mediterranean Sea, and South Africa. 



