124 



VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY 



more serrated spines in the position of a dorsal fin. These spines 

 which may be eight or nine inches long are capable of inflicting very 

 severe wounds, which become infected or poisoned by having intro- 

 duced into them the mucous secretions that bathe the cutting spines. 



D 



FIG. 68. Group of Batoidei. A, skate, Raia batis, male, ventral view (after 

 Hertwig). B, Saw-Fish, Pristis antiquorum, (after Cuvier). C, Electric Ray, 

 Torpedo ocellata (after Bridge). D, Sting-Ray, Stoasodon narinari, (after Jordan 

 and Evermann). E, Eagle Ray, Myliobatis aquila (after Bridge). 



Eagle Rays (Myliobatidce) show extremely pronounced specializa- 

 tion of the pectorial fins (Fig. 68, E), giving the body a considerably 

 greater breadth than length, the width being sometimes as great as 



