190 VERTEBRATA. PISCES. 



between a Shark and a Ray in form, and yet we 

 have seen in the last two genera a gradual blending 

 of the characters, till it is not easy to determine, 

 without close examination, to which of the two groups 

 the fish is to be referred. And still more is this the 

 case with the genus before us ; the first of the Rays, 

 placed here because apparently possessing a predom- 

 inance of the characters which distinguish the 

 latter. The ancients considered the Rhinobatus as 

 a cross breed, produced by the Angel and the Ray. 



Torpedo* the Electric Ray. 



The form of the body differs from other Rays 

 in being nearly circular ; the tail is comparatively 

 short ; and the skin is smooth. It has been celebra- 

 ted from the earliest times for its power of commu- 

 nicating an electric shock, similar, though inferior 

 in force, to that of the Gymnotus. The organs pro- 

 ducing this effect, are situated one on each side of 

 the gills, and are composed of a great number of 

 tubes placed perpendicularly, and when cut across, 

 resembling a honeycomb ; these are divided into 

 cells, and are filled with mucus. The use of this 

 power, is supposed to be the hastening of decompo- 

 sition in its prey, and consequent digestion. A 

 species has been occasionally taken on the English 

 coasts, where it is called the Cramp-fish. 



* Torpeo, to benumb. 



