148 TlMEHRI. 



distinct forms have been referred to the one species, 

 Trygon histrix, by GUNTHER ;* and in face of the 

 wide variation of this specific type, the examination 

 of a very large series of specimens is necessary before 

 one can pronounce definitely as to the distinctness of 

 the two Essequebo sting-rays obtained. 



It has been remarked by SCHOMBURGK that, when 

 transfixed by poles, the sting-rays frequently brought 

 forth young ones, no doubt due to the anguish caused by 

 the wound ; and in the single female obtained, a similar 

 extrusion of three young ones took place when a cutlass 

 was pressed into its heart to kill it. The young were 

 furnished with tails about twice the length of the body, 

 and were entirely destitute of any form of spines. 



The skinning of these large fishes, owing to their 

 softness and sliminess, was of the most tedious and tire- 

 some nature ; and it required a considerable amount of 

 devotion to complete them. As an instance of the 

 effect of the barb, it may be mentioned that the 

 jagged edges of the spine but slightly scratched one 

 of my fingers, and this became quite swollen and 

 charged with small vesicles along the scratch, and 

 for days afterwards remained in a most painful condi- 

 tion. The fishes are justly dreaded; and considerable 

 care is required in bathing or wading where they 

 are found, since, owing to their fondness for burying 

 themselves in the sand and mud, it is not always easy to 

 distinguish them, though, when gliding over the bottom 

 in the shallow water, they can be distinctly seen. 



Soon after the rays were obtained, a splendid golden 

 and spotted sun-fish or lucanani (Cichla ocellaris) was 



* Catalogue of the Fishes in the British Museum, Vol. VIII., p, 482. 



