Dasyatis sephen (Forskal) Cow-tailed Stingray. 



PLATE I. 



On the 10th of January, 1905, a female example of this species 

 was forwarded to the Department of Fisheries for determination by 

 Mr. F. W. Smithers, Inspector of Fisheries. It was captured in 

 the Clarence River, and measures 475 mm. (18| inches) across 

 the disk. On the 7th of February a male specimen, measuring 

 356 mm. (14 inches) also arrived from the same locality. 



As Dasyatis sephen has not been previously recorded from the 

 coast of New South Wales, these records mark an addition to our 

 already heavy list of these dangerously armed Kays, which are 

 for very obvious reasons the objects of the fisherman's most 

 undisguised hatred. 



In forwarding the specimens, Inspector Smithers mentioned 

 that this kind of Ray is more dangerous to handle than any of 

 the others, as it can use its barb or " sting " on a fisherman who 

 has hold of it even between the eyes, this being, generally speak 

 ing, the only safe way of manipulating Stingrays. 



It transpires that this fish is known to some of the Clarence 

 River fishermen as " Cow-tailed Stingray " a name which I have 

 retained, as, owing to the shape of the tail, it appears to be 

 peculiarly appropriate. The tail is very supple and muscular, and 

 it is armed in both cases with a single, acute, long, barbed 

 spine. 



Day gives as the habitat of this species " Red Sea, through 

 the Seas of India, to the Malay Archipelago and beyond ;"* and 

 Macleay mentions its occurrence in saltwater in the lower 

 Burdekin River, Queensland ;f while Ogilby also mentions two 

 specimens (probably identical with Macleay 's) from the Burdekin 

 River, as well as one from South-eastern New Guinea. \ 



In Indian seas, this Ray grows to an enormous size, and must 

 be exceedingly formidable ; Day mentioning one example that 

 measured 5 feet 10 inches across the disk. He also states that 



* Day : Fishes of India, p. 740. 

 f Macleay : P.L.S., N.S.W., viii, 1884, p. 212. 



$ Ogilby : Catalogue of the F.shes in the collection of the Australian 

 Museum. Part I ; Recent Palteic'athyan Fishes, 18S8, p. 20. 



