THE STING. RAY . 317 



flatten out 'into thin air. From the body, which really is 

 quite small, and centrally located, a thin sheet of cartilage, 

 consisting of a great number of very long, jointed rays firmly 

 joined together, extends outward to. the very tips of the 

 wing-like fins. Upon this is laid a thin layer of flesh, and over 



THE STING RAY. 



all is spread the rough and tough skin. The tail is like a long, 

 stiff whip, with a many-barbed bone stiletto midway a very 

 dangerous weapon to be so carelessly exposed. 



To a taxidermist, the mounting of a large ray is about 

 the most calamitous task he can possibly encounter. The 

 trouble lies in the perpetual shrinking after mounting. 



THE STING RAY, 1 or, by corruption, "STINGAREE," is one 

 of the greatest pests of the eastern coast of the American 



1 Try'gon sa-bi'na. 



