286 nrU.VA, ITS PEOPLE AM) PRODUCTTOXS. 



b. Gill openiyifia ventral. 



Fami'li/ Pristidse. 



Snout proiluccd and flutteued into a ' saw,' with numerous so-called teeth along 

 its edge. 



Peistis, Lutham. 



Spiracle wide and behind the eye, whicli is devoid of a nictitating membrane. 

 Nostrils inferior. Teeth (true) minute and obtuse. 



Three species inhabit the Eastern seas : P. cuspiilatus, with distinct lower caudal 

 lobe, and 25 to 35 pairs of rostral ' teeth,' but none tor the basal fourth of the snout ; 

 F. Pcrrotteti, witli no distinct lower caudal lobe, and 17 to 20 pairs of rostral' teeth' 

 from its base, and the dorsal in advance of the ventrals ; and P. zi/sron, whicli 

 resembles the last, but has 25 to 32 pairs of rostral ' teeth,' and the dorsal fin posterior 

 to the ventrals. 



These lish are valuable for their tins, -which, together with those of sharks, are 

 dried and exported to China, and for the oil which is extracted from the liver. They 

 attain a great size, a specimen of P. zi/sroii caught on tlie coast of Sind measured over 

 16 feet, and a P. cuspidatus, captured at Calicut, afforded a liver which weighed 185 

 pounds. They ascend rivers far above tidal intluence, and are eaten by low-caste 

 natives onl}-. 



Famili/ Ehinobatidse. 



Pectoral fins not continued to the snout. Trunk gradually passing into the tail. 

 Two dorsal fins. 



RniNOBATUs, Bloch. and Schneider. 



Body depressed and elongated. Spiracles wide and behind the eyes. Snout 

 elongated and connected by a membrane with the pectoral fin. Nostrils oblique and 

 wide. Teeth obtuse ridged. No lower caudal lobe. 



R. GKANTJLATUS, CuV. 



Nga-man-haing. 



H dental plates, with a central and lateral ele\ation in the mandibular ones, 

 and a corresponding depression in the maxillary. 20 to 22 vertical rows of teeth 

 above, and 13 in the mandible, opposite the symphysis. Scales tubercular, and 

 a spined vertebral row. Reddish-grey above, white below. Grows to 7 feet. 



The Andamans. 



R. Thouini, Lacep. 



Teeth small, upwards of 100 rows in cither jaw. Skin granulated with a row of 

 compressed spines along the middle of the back, and smaller ones over the shoulders 

 and about the eyes. Brown, yellowish- white beneath. 



The Andamans. 



Family Torpedinidse. 



Disk smooth. An electric organ situated between the pectoral fin and the head. 



Mason says a 'Torpedo' is found on the coast. Day mentions two species: 

 Xarcine timlei, Bloch., with two dorsal fins, and which grows to 18 inches; and 

 Aitrape diptcri/gia, Bloch., with one dorsal fin, and which is somewhat smaller. A 

 species of Narcine (?) is common in the Bassein River, at Ngfx-pootau, if my memoiy 

 serves me. 



Family Trygonidse. 

 Disk wide. Pectorals continued to the end of the snout, where they join. 



