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FAM. DASYBATIDyE — STING RAYS. 



Like the Raiidse this family has the pectoral fins continued around 

 the front of the head and confluent at the extremity of the snout, 

 but unlike them the tail is armed with a strong serrated spine 

 capable of inflicting considerable damage. 



Three species are known to occur on our coast, one of which, Urolo- 

 2)hus halleri, Round Sting Ray, is abundant in every bay and lagoon 

 and along sandy shores south of Point Conception, especially in San 

 Diego Bay. Although the smallest of the species, reaching a length 

 of eighteen inches only, it is the most dangerous, having great mus- 

 cular power in its tail and striking quickly and accurately. It is not 

 eaten though often taken in nets. An example thus taken was seen 

 b}' Professor Jordan to strike its " sting " quite through the body of 

 another one. 



Dasybatis dipterurus is rather abundant in San Diego Bay, and, 

 in summer, many were seen of from two to two and a half feet 

 in length, without the tail. 



Pteroplatea marmorata, is far broader than it is long, reaching two 

 and a half feet in width and two feet in length. It is common on 

 bays and on sandy shores from Santa Barbara southwards. The 

 large individuals taken at San Pedro are sent to Los Angeles, where 

 they are eaten by the French residents. It is the only ray eaten 

 there. 



FAM. RAIIDyE — RAYS, SKATES. 



Five species of this faintly are now known to be found upon our 

 coast, four of them discovered and described this year by Messrs. 

 Jordan and Gilbert. 



Zapteryx exasperatus, abundant in San Diego Bay in winter, is too 

 small for use as food; and Raia stellulata, which in winter and 

 spring is very abundant in Monterey Bay, is not sent to market on 

 account of its very rough skin and dark brown color, which render 

 it less salable than the other rays. 



Large numbers of both adult and young are taken in gill nets. It 

 reaches two to two and a half feet in length. 



Raia rliina ranges from Monterey to Vancouver, is often taken with 

 hook and line from the wharf at Seattle, and is brought to San 

 Francisco market in company with the other rays. Elsewhere it is 

 seldom eaten, and is nowhere much valued. It reaches a length of 

 two and a half to three feet. 



Raia binoculata, is on the whole the most abundant species of ray 

 in tlie markets of San Francisco, and is common along the coast 

 from thence to Monterey. Those brought to market are mostly 

 caught in the immediate vicinity. It reaches a length of two to two 

 and a half feet. The French are the chief consumers of this fish,, 

 and eat it in the form of Rale avec buerre noir. 



Raia cooperi — This is the giant of its tribe, reaching a length 

 of from five to six feet, and a weight of sixty pounds or more. 

 Those sent to San Francisco market are usually much smaller, 

 but examples three to four feet long may be seen there. From 

 the preceding species it may be known at sight by the white spots 

 upon its upper surface. It is abundant all along the coast from 

 Monterey to Alaska, especially in Puget Sound, frequenting bays and 

 sandy shores, and feeding on Crustacea and fishes. It is taken both 



