FISHES. 55 



chial openings. The eggs, like those of the shark, are 

 angular, brown, and leather-like: the long point, how- 

 ever, is wanting. The flesh is white, tender, and much 

 esteemed. The most remarkable is 



The Torpedo or Electric Ray (raja torpedo), which 

 has a smooth round body, without spines, and of a dark 

 color, with a few spots, like' eyes ; its skin is very slimy. 

 The rays have the power of giving electric shocks, like the 

 Gymnoti, and it is believed they use this faculty to be- 

 numb and thus obtain their prey. The shock, however, 

 is less powerful than that given by the electric eel. 

 Tbey seldom exceed a foot in length ; the flesh is slimy, 

 and not valued. 



The Skate (raja batis) generally measures two feet ; 

 the body is rhomboid ; gray, spotted with black ; rough, 

 but without spines, except a single row on the tail. It 

 is found in every sea, but principally in the northern 

 waters, where it is taken, and after being boiled in sea- 

 water, the flesh is considered by the inhabitants of those 

 regions as very palatable food. 



The Thornbaclt (raja pastinaca) is one foot long; 

 olive brown ; smooth and viscid ; in the middle of its 

 slender tail is a sting, three inches in length, doubly 

 dentated, with which it can inflict very dangerous 

 wounds, and from which it is sometimes called the 

 Sting Ray. The American Indians use -this sting as 

 barbs for their arrows ; and it serves the fish as a weapon 

 of defense, or in taking their prey. The thornback is 

 found in every sea, and was known to the ancients. The 

 sting is considered poisonous by the common people, and 

 the fishermen cut the tail oft" immediately on taking the 

 fish, lest they should be wounded. 



The Giant Ray (raja cornuta) is very large, and the 



