THE ELECTRIC RAY. 215 



than one young at a time, which, as in the Sharks, is 

 enclosed in a four-cornered bag or shell, ending in 

 slender points ; but not (as in those) extending into 

 long filaments. 



In their fresh state most of the species have a fe- 

 tid and unpleasant smell, but nearly the whole are 

 eatable. There are about twenty species. Those 

 with which we are best acquainted are the Skate, 

 the Thornback, and the Torpedo or Electric Ray. 



Their bodies are broad, thin, and flat. The mouth 

 is situated beneath, and the eyes above the body. 

 The breathing- apertures are five on each side, a lit- 

 tle below the mouth. The head is in general small 

 and pointed, and not distinct from the body. 



The liver is large, and often produces a great 

 quantity of oil. 



THE ELECTRIC RAY*. 



I have selected the Torpedo or Electric Ray from 

 the rest of the tribe, since no ac«ounts of the other 

 species have been preserved that are worth much at- 

 tention. — The present species, however, is altoge- 

 ther so remarkable as to merit very particular no- 

 tice. It is found in many of the European seas, 

 and the fishermen often discover it inTorbay; and 

 sometimes of such a size as to weigh near eighty 

 pounds. 



* Synonyms.— Raia Torpedo. Linn.— Torpedo, Cramp-fish. Will. 

 If/;.— Electrical Ray. Venn, Penn. Brit. Zool. vol. 3. tab. 10. 



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