430 



VEKTEBRATA. 



TOE THORNBACK. 



THE STING RAY. 



Starry Ray, R. radiata ; the Sharp-nosed Ray, R. oxyrhyiichus ; the Shagreen Ray, R. 

 chaffrinea ; all found in the European waters. 



The Thornback, R. clavata, is noted for the excellent quality of its flesh, and is common on 

 the European coasts. The prevailing color of the upper part, which is rough with small points, 

 is dark brown, the under part Avhite, as is the case with most species of Ray. It is two to three 

 feet long. 



The Skate, R. bails, is often called True Skate, to distinguish it from the Thornback and 

 Homelyn, which are also called skate ; is not so common as these, but is superior to either for 

 the table ; color above grayish brown ; under surface sooty white. The females of this as well 

 some other Rays are called Maid in England. It is very voracious, and grows to a large size. 

 Found in the European and American waters. 



There are several species of Ray found on our American coasts. The Smooth Skate, R. Icevis, 

 five to six feet long, perhaps the same as R. batis of Europe, is caught on our coasts and sold in 

 our markets. The Clear-nosed Ray, R. dinjyJiaucs, is two to three feet long, and is caught to- 

 gether with codfish. Its flesh is not m\ich esteemed, but is eaten by some persons; common in 

 our markets in March. The Prickly Ray, R. Americana, is two to three feet long, and resembles 

 the R. batis already described. The Spotted or Ocellated Ray, R. ocellata, grows to the 

 length of two or three feet ; it is common on our coasts, and is often caught with the hook. 

 The Hedge-Hog Ray, R. erinaceus, is two to three feet long, and found on the coast of New 

 Jersey. 



Genus 'PASTl'S AC A: Pastinaca.— This includes the Whip Sting Ray, P.hastata; has a 

 long tail, armed with two or more spines. Found on our coasts. The Broad Sting Ray, P. 

 maclura, is six to eight feet long, and ten to fifteen feet wide, with one or two spines on the tail, 

 near the base. Found on the coast of Rhode Island. 



6^e?(«s TRYGOX: Tn/r/on. — This includes the Sting Ray, T. pastinaca, \\h.\ch. is found on 

 sandy ground in shallow water and not far from the land. Its tail is armed with a sharp spine 

 five inches long, serrated on both edges, with which it lacerates its enemies. Its flesh is rank 

 and disagreeable ; widely distributed in the European seas. There are several other species. 



Genus MYLIOBATIS : Myliobatis. — This includes the "Whip Ray, ^f. aquila, the Aiple de Mer 

 of Cuvier. It derives its name from its long, slender, flexible tail ; and is called Eagle Ray from 



