8o 



GIANT FISHES 



teeth are in several rows in each jaw, those forming the middle 

 row usually being broader than those at the sides. The 

 coloration of the upper surface is more or less uniformly 

 brown or black. 



The larger species grow to a width of 3 or 4 feet or even 

 more across the disc. 



A number of species have been described, but as specimens 



Fig. 30. — Cow-nose Ray (Rhinoptera qnadriloba). 



are very rare in museums, it is difficult to find out how far 

 these forms are really distinct. All occur in tropical seas. 

 The Cow-nose Ray (R. quadriloba) ranges on the American 

 coast from Cape Cod to Florida ; the Gabilan (R. stein- 

 dachneri) occurs in the Gulf of California ; another species 

 (R. marginata) is found in the Mediterranean, and others in 

 the Indian and Pacific Oceans. 



Like the True Eagle Rays, these creatures live mainly upon 

 oysters, clams and other shellfish, and they have been seen 

 rooting up the bottoms of shallow bays like a drove of pigs. 

 Practically nothing is known of their mode of life, and they 

 appear to be of no economic importance. 



