64 GIANT FISHES 



ELECTRIC RAYS. 



(Family Torpedinid^;.) 



Rays in which the head, trunk and pectoral fins form one 

 almost circular flattened disc, from which projects a somewhat 

 short and stout tail, generally with a keel-like fold running 

 down either side. There are special paired electrical organs 

 between the pectoral fins and the head. There may be i or 

 2 dorsal fins, or these may be absent, but, when developed, 

 they are situated on the tail. A caudal fin is present. The 

 pelvic fins have no notch. The skin is soft and flabby, and 

 there are no dermal denticles. 



These rays are found in nearly all warm seas, mostly inshore, 

 but sometimes in quite deep water. Fossil remains occur in 

 rocks of the Eocene period. Only the true Electric Rays, 

 known as Torpedoes, Cramp-fishes or Numb-fishes, grow to 

 any size. 



TORPEDOES. 

 (Genus Torpedo.) Fig. 27. 



Electric Rays with a very broad disc and a short tail. The 

 spiracles are large, rounded, and placed close behind the 

 eyes ; their edges are not fringed. The teeth are small and 

 pointed, and closely set in pavement form. There are 2 dorsal 

 fins and a well-developed caudal fin. The pelvic fins are 

 large and quite separate from each other. The coloration of 

 the upper surface varies from pale yellowish-brown to almost 

 black, and may be uniform or variously spotted and mottled. 



The largest species grow to a length of 3 to 6 feet or even 

 more, and a weight of 200 lb. 



There are a number of existing species, of which the following 

 four, all attaining to a fair size, may be mentioned. The Cramp- 

 fish or Numb-fish (T. Occident alls) of the Atlantic coast of the 

 United States ; the Black Torpedo (7\ nobi liana) of the 

 Mediterranean and the adjacent parts of the Atlantic, which 

 is not uncommon in British waters ; the Mediterranean 

 Torpedo (X. marmorata), with a similar distribution ; and the 

 California!! Torpedo (T. calif ornica). 



