LAMPREY TRIBE. 279 



upper parts of the body are generally of a pale or marbled 

 brown colour, and the under parts are white. 



Sting Ray, or Fire-flaire. Numerous stories, of the 

 most absurd kind, have been related by the ancient natu- 

 ralists, of the fatal effects produced by the pointed spine 

 at the side of the tail of the Sting Ray. Oppian has 

 pretended that the venom issuing- from it would even 

 dissolve stone. 



" All things must yield ; the dire infection's such, 

 The solid flint would moulder at the touch !" 



It is true, that, with this weapon, which is serrated or 

 jagged at the edges, the animal sometimes inflicts a bad 

 and painful wound ; but this is not owing to any venom 

 which proceeds from it, but merely from laceration. In 

 its general habits of life, the Sting Ray differs but little 

 from the skate. 



Its body is of a somewhat circular shape, and is 

 smooth. The nose is sharp-pointed ; and the mouth 

 small, and furnished with blunt or granulated teeth. 

 The tail tapers to a point, and, as before observed, has 

 on one side a sharp, brown, and serrated spine. The 

 upper parts of the body are of a dingy yellow, but some- 

 what lead-coloured towards the middle. The under parts 

 are white. 



27. LAMPREY TRIBE. 



The Lampreys adhere firmly to rocks and other solid 

 bodies, by their mouths, which are nearly circular, and 

 are surrounded by a fleshy margin. Their bodies are 

 eel-shaped, and slippery. They feed on worms, and all 

 kinds of animal substances. 



