666 NATURAL HISTORY OF AQUATIC ANIMALS. 



"The Sting Ray and Whip Ray are very often eaten on the Gulf coast, and are sold daily in 

 the New Orleans market." 



THE BUTTERFLY RAY. 



The Butterfly Ray, Pteroplatea maclura, although a member of the same family with the Sting 

 Ray, differs very much in its external appearance, and would hardly be supposed by the unlearned 

 to be a fish at all. The tail is exceedingly small, while the pectoral flaps are enormously devel- 

 oped. The body often attains the weight of ten or twelve pounds, while its length is not more 

 than three or four feet. The enormous extent of the pectoral flaps, resembling wings, have given 

 origin to the common name. In an individual of the above-mentioned size the tail would not be 

 more than three or four inches long. This species is taken in summer in the pounds, and, when 

 Skates become more popular as an article of food, will doubtless, on account of its great size, be 

 of economic importance. Little or nothing is known of its habits. 



THE EAGLE RAYS. 



Of the Eagle Ray family, Myliobati&ce, of which there are three species, all except the Bishop 

 Ray straggle north to Southern New England in summer, but only one seems to be found in 

 Florida and the Gulf; this is the "Whipparee" or "Corn-Cracker" of the South (Rhlnoptera quad- 

 riloba). Its habits are thus described by Mr. Silas Stearns : 



"The Whipparee is common on the Florida coast. It is present in the bays the year round. 

 In warm weather it lives on sand bars in shoal water, and in cold weather retires to deeper water. 

 It feeds upon molluscous animals, chiefly the razor-shell fish, which is one of the commonest kinds. 

 The Whij) Ray is viviparous and brings forth its young in spring and summer, the breeding season 

 apparently extending over five or six months. I have not found a Whip Ray containing more than 

 three young ones, usually only two. When the young fish leave the parent they are quite active 

 and undoubtedly able to care for themselves. The adults have stout dorsal spines, which they use 

 as weapons of defense. These spines are barbed and slimy, and wounds from them are very trouble- 

 some and sometimes dangerous. The Whip Ray is sometimes six or seven feet across the back. 

 During the last of July, 1880, 1 saw large schools of young Whip Rays, probably about half- 

 grown, swimming at the surface at sea off Saint Andrew's Bay, and also at a point twenty miles 

 up that bay." 



The " Eagle Ray," or " Sharp-nosed Ray," Mylobath Fremenvillei, does not attain a large size 

 and is comparatively unusual in occurrence. Its food, as observed in Southern Massachusetts, is 

 closely similar to that of the common Sting Ray. 



The Bishop Ray, Stoasodon narinari, the "Obispo" of Cuba, is found in the West Indies and 

 at the Bermudas ; stragglers have been observed at Norfolk, Virginia. 



THE DEVIL-FISHES. 



The Devil-fish, Mania birostris, has been observed as far north as Cape May, and is said to be 

 often see on the Gulf coast of Florida, as it swims on the surface of the water. This species attains 

 an enormous size ; individuals have been caught measuring thirty feet or more from tip to tip of 

 the flaps. It is especially abundant on the coast of South Carolina, where its pursuit is a favorite 

 amusement among the planters, or rather was in former years. Every one is familiar with the 

 thrilling accounts given of this amusement by Elliott in his "Carolina Sports by Land and Water." 

 There are instances on record of small vessels having been carried out to sea by these fish which 

 have become entangled in the anchor ropes. The appearance of these fish at the surface, especially 

 at the breeding season, has given origin, doubtless, to some of the stories of sea-serpents current 

 on the Southern coast. 



