CLASS-BOOK OF ZOOLOGY. Ill 



SECTION XXVI. 



1st Order — Cartilaginous Fishes with open gills : 

 ( Chondropterygii.) 



§ 460. To the first Order of Fishes belong those carti- 

 laginous fishes, the gills of which lie open, and are not 

 covered with a membrane, (operculum ;) as, for instance, 

 the Ray, Shark, etc. 



^ 461. Cartilaginous fishes, destitute of a gill-mem- 

 brane, and having a flat, broad, thin body, and a mouth 

 situated quite below, are called Ray. 



§ 462. There are different species of Ray ; of which 

 some attain the length of only two or' three feet, while 

 others are fifteen or more feet in length, and weigh from 

 200 to 500 pounds. The flesh of the smaller ones is a 

 wholesome and very palatable food. 



5 463. The eggs of the Ray are often seen floating near 

 the shores of the sea, and are called purses by fishermen, 

 from their form, which is that of a four-cornered bag, and 

 of a black color. 



§ 464. The Ray is an inhabitant of deep seas, is found 

 in all the climates of the world, and lives on crabs, snails, 

 fish, and any other animals that come in its way. The 

 large ones are dangerous to man. 



§ 465. The most remarkable Ray is the Torpedo, or 

 Cramp-fish, (Raja Torpedo,) and on account of its be- 

 numbing or stupifying power, it is also one of the most 

 interesting species. It weighs, when full-grown, about 

 fifty pounds, and is found in every sea. 



§ 466. As the Torpedo has no arms, and no considerable 

 strength for attacking or repelling attack, nature has pro- 

 vided it with the means of giving an electric shock to its 

 assailants or its prey, by which they are benumbed, and 

 even killed. 



§ 467. The electric power of the Torpedo is situated 

 under its skin, between the pectoral fins, Jhe head, and 

 the gills, on which are seen a great number of small mem- 



