FISHES. OOI 



seen only the smallest of the kind ; as they generally keep at the 

 bottom, the largest of the kind are seldom seen ; and as they 

 may probably have been growing for ages, the extent of their 

 magnitude is unknown. It is generally supposed, however, that 

 they are. the largest inhabitants of the deep ; and, were we to 

 credit the Norway bishop, there are some above a mile over 

 But to suppose an animal of such a magnitude is absurd ; yet the 

 overstretching the supposition does not destroy the probability 

 that animals of this tribe grow to an enormous size. 



The ray generally chooses for its retreat such parts of the sea 

 as have a black muddy bottom j the large ones keep at greater 

 depths; but the smaller approach the shores, and feed upon 

 whatever living animals they can surprise, or whatever putrid 

 substances they meet with. As they are ravenous, they easily 

 take the bait, yet will not touch it if it be taken up and kept a 

 day or two out of water. Almost all fish appear much more 

 delicate with regard to a baited hook than their ordinary food. 

 They appear by their manner to perceive the line, and to dread 

 it ; but the impulse of their hunger is too great for their cau- 

 tion ; and, even though they perceive the danger, if thoroughly 

 hungry they devour the destruction. 



These fish generate in March and April ; at which time only 

 they are seen swimming near the surface of the water, several 

 of the males pursuing one female. They adhere so fast together 

 in coition, that the fishermen frequently draw up both together, 

 though only one has been hooked. The females are prolific to 

 an extreme degree ; there having been no less than three hundi'ed 

 eggs taken out of the body of a single ray. These eggs are 

 covered with a tough horny substance, which they acquire in the 

 womb ; for before they descend into that, they are attached to 

 the ovary pretty much in the same manner as in the body of a 

 pullet. From this ovary, or egg-bag, as it is vulgarly called, 

 the fish's eggs drop one by one into the womb, and there receive 

 a shell by the concretion of the fluids of that organ. When 

 come to proper maturity, they are excluded, but never above one 

 or two at a time, and often at intervals of three or four hours. 

 These eggs, or purses, as the fishermen call them, are usually 

 cast about the beginning of May, and they continue Casting dur- 

 ing the whole summer. In October, wlien tlicir breeding ceases, 

 they are exceedingly poor and thin ; but in November they be- 



