139 



I 



PTEROCEPHALA. 



The fore part of the head as if cut short, and the pectoral fins, 

 instead of clasping it, have each of their anterior extremities extended 

 forward, af([)earing as if the fish was furnished with horus. The tail 

 slender; the spine, dorsal fin, and pectoral fins broad. 



OX RAY. 



Crphal<->2itpra Giorna, CuviEii? Jenyns; filannal, p. -M9? 



" Massena, Eisso; Vacca? 



Raia Fahruniana, Lacepede. 



Horned Bay, Yaukell; Br. Fishes, vol. ii, p. 595.'' the 



figiu'e we must suppose, unlike anything 

 in nature. 

 " " PiiOEEssoK F. M'CoT; Annals and Mag. 



of Natural History, vol. xix, for March, 

 1847. 



Tins remarkable form of the family of Skates and Rays 

 attracted tlie forcible attention of the ancients, as well from 

 the enormous size they have sometimes attained, (even to twelve 

 hundredweight or more,) as from the singular form of the 

 front of the head, which, from its resemblance to a pair of 

 projecting horns, gave occasion to their being characterized by 

 the name of Bos, or the Ox. In the present day on the coast 

 of Italy, according to Risso, they are knoAvn by the name 

 of Vacca, or the Cow. A lai-ge example, which, whether 

 specifically different from the smaller individuals that have 

 come to our coasts is uncertain, was the terror of the divers 

 for sponges and coral; for whom it was supposed to be ever 

 on the watch with devouring propensities, and whose return 

 from the bottom it endeavoured to intercept by assvmiing a 

 station at mid-water above them, where it so molested tiicir 

 endeavour to ascend, as to cause their destruction; of which 



