On a new species of the genus Cephalopterus. 29 



that on dissection, mammary organs were found, which dis- 

 charged as much as a pailful of milk. Captain Bebee was al- 

 so a witness of these particulars. 



As these animals are said during the summer and autumn 

 to visit our southern coast, it may be expected we shall obtain 

 further and more particular information concerning them. On 

 this occasion I have seized the opportunity that presented to 

 make a memorandum by which the vampyre of the ocean or 

 this sort of submarine bird, may henceforward be known by 

 naturalists. 



After the description given it will be rationally expected I 

 should name the fish. 



I am averse to the unnecessary multiplication of genera: the 

 indulgence of an inclination to minute divisions and subdivi- 

 sions, I consider one of the misfortunes of modern science. 



This enormous individual belongs to the order Selacian of 

 thegreat section comprehending the cartilaginous fishes. Its 

 configuration and structure place it in the numerous family of 

 Raja; but it is incapable of holding a place in any of the divi- 

 sions that now exist in the genus; for it cannot be ranked among 

 Rays, which have sharp noses, nor those whose heads arc round- 

 ed, or horned ; nor with such as have mouths furnished with 

 hexagonal, or pointed teeth, or tails armed with stings, or 

 supplied with fins. 



I find the generic name Cephalopterus in the books, which 

 denotes the existence of fins upon the head. I am willing to 

 adopt this term, as sufficiently significant. It remains to find 

 a specific denomination. This fish being perhaps the largest 

 of the rays, as the vampyre is of the bats, or vespertilios. the 

 name vamp' t rus may be attached. So the creature may br 

 distinguished as the Cephalopterus vampyrus. 



