SHARKS AND SKATES. 



301 



about him in the most vicious manner, and the result is that large pii 

 are torn or cut from its prey. It is especially fond of ivhales, 



round which it swims with great facility, cutting here and there, 

 sometimes ripping open its huge antagonist. Were it not for the 

 this animal would be in a bad way for obtaining food, for its mouth i- 



Fig. 293. — Skate (Raia), above; Torpedo, or cramp-fisb ( Torp tow. 



poorly armed with teeth; but the pieces the saw tears away ai erly 



swallowed. 



The torpedo, or cramp-fish, is another interesting form 

 organs of defence take a most peculiar character. Underneatl 

 on either side of the head, is a large galvanic battery, the • ■> 

 which is not perfectly understood. Each battery consists 

 number of cells, the whole closely resembling in appearance 



