140 ox RAY. 



proceoding the following verses of Oppian contain the popular 

 belief, referred to also by Pliny, B. 9, C. 70: — 



Enwrapt in softer slime the Sea Cow dwells, 

 Who every sca-brcd kind in breadth excels. 

 To twice six cubits stretched, their flatted sides 

 Press down the lab'riiig waves and smooth the tides. 

 Unarmed their body, thonc;h with monstrous sixe 

 And bulky form they strike the wond'rino; eyes. 

 Borne on the strutrslii'^ floods that broad-backed Ray 

 Unwicldly lolls, and takes up all the way. 

 FcAv are their teeth, unfit for martial toil. 

 Thin set, not made to sioze the doubtful spoil. 

 But schemes well laid they resolute pursue. 

 And by superior fraud ev'n man subdue. 



They mark when daring mortals plunge below. 

 Where pearls arc hid and coral branches grow; 

 Then hover o'er the place and float at ease, 

 Stretch on the waves and shade the covered seas; 

 With patient hope unmov'd their station keep. 

 Till from the secret chambers of the deep 

 Laden with spoils the diver mounts again, 

 Nor can the suri'acc reach with all his pain. 

 By wonted arts he tries himself to raise, 

 But o'er his head th' unwelcome pressure stays. 



Kept back from lookcd-for day, the mortal grieves, 



In vain the pressing lid his shoulder heaves; 



His weaker thrust the stubborn weight withstands, 



And backward sinks him down to lowest sands. 



If he swims forward, and the surface leaves, 



ThR subtle fish the vain attempt perceives, 



Still han£TS aloof, and o'er his pensive head 



The shades nnwish'd their ijloomy coverts spread, 



Till wearied arms their toilsome work refuse, 



But faintly strike, and catch the yielding ooze. 



Such is the toil when venturous divers meet 

 The floating roof, and push the pressing weight. 

 Stretched on the watery ])lain inimoved it lies. 

 And ojKMi air and liQ:htsome day denies. 

 Till swallow'd Avavcs an easy passage Hnd, 

 And in its latest breath lile mingles with the wind. 

 Thus, proud of her success, the spreading Kay 

 By stratagem obtains the noblest prey. 



B. 2. 



Into what species this ianiily of fishes may be divided 

 appears even now to be uncertain, and liritish naturalists not 

 only differ from each other, but iVoni themselves, in those 

 descriptions and accounts which seem necessary to enable us 

 to form definite opinions on the subject. Of the few examples 

 ■which have been taken in the British seas there is little cer- 

 tainty, since they have not generally come into the hands ot 

 competent obscivers; and some of the engraved figures appear 



