6 CALIFORXIA FISH AND GAME. 



2. THE ELECTRIC RAYS 



(Fa in ill/ Narcohatida) . 



The Electric Ray (Tetronarce californica). 



This is the only member of its family on our coast, and may be recog- 

 nized by its broad circular disk, covered M'ith smooth black skin without 

 spines or prickles anj^where, and by its well-developed caudal fin and 

 two doi*sal fins. The eyes are very small, and the small mouth is pro- 

 vided Avith fine sharp teeth. It is blue-black, or dark lead color, above 

 and white on the lower parts. 



The electric ray is said to reach a length of 3 feet, though it is seldom 

 seen much over a foot in length. It is known from central California 

 southward to the Santa Barbara Channel, being rather common in deep 

 water in Monterey Baj'. 



Fig. 5. The electric ray Tetronarce californica. Young male. 



This ray is provided with an electric organ composed of hexagonal 

 cells, reaching from the skin of the upper surface to that of the lower, 

 and situated at each side of the head and gill chambers. The electricity 

 discharged from this ray has the properties of other electricity, such 

 as rendering an iron bar magnetic, decomposing chemicals, and pro- 

 ducing a spark. Stories vary as to the volume of the discharge, but 

 even a small ray is capable of inflicting considerable pain. After a 

 few discharges the fish becomes exhausted and must rest before its 

 electric organs are again functional. It is of interest to note that the 

 first record we have of the application of electricity is of the time of 

 Antliony and Cleopatra, whose court physician recommended the elec- 

 tricity of an electric ray for medical purposes, especially for pains in 

 the head. Later it was prescribed for the cure of gout. 



