60 



The two sexes of the chimsera differ widely in appearance. The 

 female is larger and stouter than the male, and has less singularity 

 of form, but the smaller male has upon the snout a curious cartila- 

 ginous organ, armed with recurved teeth on its button-like extrem- 

 ity. This projection can be used on occasion as a weapon of defense, 

 but its normal use is that of a prehensile organ, subservient to the 

 purpose of reproduction. The claspers of the male are of complex 

 structure. 



While performing the reproductive act, the shorter male holds the 

 female lightly grasped by the pectoral fin, by means of the hooked 

 projection upon its forehead. 



This fish frequents rather deep bays, feeds on fishes and marine 

 invertebrates, and takes the hook readily. It spawns in July, and 

 its egg-cases are long and slender, and unprovided with tentacles. 

 The liver is extremely large and fat, but the fish, which does not 

 exceed twenty to twenty-four inches in length, with a weight of from 

 six to eight pounds, is too small to allow of its profitable pursuit. 



SUB-ORDER BATID.E — RAYS AND SKATES. 



In the typical rays, Raiidse Dasybatidse, the trunk is surrounded 

 by the immensely developed pectoral fins, so that it forms a broad, 

 flat disk, from which protrudes posteriorly a more or less long and 

 slender tail. Some of the genera, however, approach the sharks, 

 having a thick tail, and much of the body free from the pectorals. 

 The gill openings are five in number, and are always on the lower 

 surface of the body. Spiracles (breathing holes), are always present ; 

 there is no anal fin, and the dorsal fins, if present, are quite small 

 and placed upon the tail. Fourteen species are now known to 

 inhabit our coast, and all but three are peculiar to the west coast of 

 North America. Previous to the visit of Professor Jordan, only 

 seven were known to occur. 



Myliobatis califomicus, Stingaree, Sting Ray, Eagle Ray — This 

 species is abundant along our coast at least as far north as Tomales 

 Bay; and along the northern portion of its range is the only sting 

 ray known. As the pectoral fins are not continued around the 

 head, the sides of which are free, Myliobatis is not classed with the 

 Dasybatidse. 



The Eagle Ray is especially abundant on sandy shores, and is very 

 destructive to oysters, for the mastication of which, the broad flat 

 surface presented by its hexagonal pavement like teeth is peculiarly 

 fitted. Ic also devours Crustacea and fishes, and reaches a weight of 

 seventy-five pounds. It is not eaten by whites, but is occasionally 

 dried by the Chinese. 



Probably the same as Myliobatis aquila of the Mediterranean, 

 Atlantic, and Australian Coasts. 



Manta birostris, Sea Vampire — This gigantic species, which reaches 

 fifteen to twenty feet in width, is said to occur on the extreme south- 

 ern part of our coast. The mouth is wide, at the anterior extremity 

 of the body, and contains teeth only in the lower jaw. These are 

 small but numerous, in about a hundred longitudinal rows. This 

 species is also called the Devil Fish, and has been said to carry down 

 men beneath its outstretched pectorals. It is best known from the 

 Atlantic, and is common in the Gulf of Mexico. 



