1844.] 445 



ratively large, and of complicated form. The whole of the pelvic 

 apparatus, with its appendages, as compared with the rays of the 

 present period, presents remarkable modifications. The small 

 size of the ventral fins is conclusive evidence against the supposi- 

 tion that these differences could have relation to locomotion. If 

 we seek to explain them with reference to the internal structure 

 of the animal, the absence of the soft parts deprives us of the 

 means of arriving at any satisfactory results. Analogical consi- 

 derations, however, would suggest the idea, that the peculiar fea- 

 tures of these parts have some relation to the generative system. 

 The vertebral column corresponds with that of the recent rays in 

 the form and character of the vertebrae, and has no approximation 

 to the squaloid type found in the fossil ray from Solenhofen, in 

 the Society's collection. The anteroposterior dimensions of the 

 vertebras are rather greater than in a specimen of raia of similar 

 size with tlae fossil : the extremity of the tail is deficient, but judg- 

 ing from the rapid contraction of the caudal vertebrae preserved 

 in the specimen, this organ must have been small and powerless, 

 presenting a remarkable contrast to that of the torpedos. There 

 is no trace of the existence of a defensive weapon ; nor, indeed, 

 would the proportions and form of this part of the specimen lead 

 one to infer that this fish could have been provided with such an 

 organ. 



To recapitulate the features of this remarkable fish, we have a 

 small ray, much resembling those of the present period, but en- 

 tirely surrounded by a broad flexible cartilagino-membranous fin, 

 the skin smooth, the teeth and eyes small, the tail slender, and no 

 trace of dermal spines, tubercles, or defensive weapons. It is impossi- 

 ble to resist a speculation, as to how an animal apparently so destitute 

 of the means of offence or defence could have existed. We find in the 

 recent rays various provisions adapted to these ends. Trygon and 

 Myliobatis are armed with weapons so powerful and deadly, that they 

 have been adopted by savage nations for the armature of their war 

 spears. Other genera have the nasal cartilages prolonged in the 

 form of a cut-water, to enable them both to evade by flight those 

 enemies they could not encounter in single combat, and to over- 

 take the smaller fishes on which they subsist ; and most of the 

 recent forms have their integuments studded with spines or osseous 

 plates, forming a species of defensive armour for the body, while 

 a similar armature on the long and flexible tail renders this organ 

 an effectual weapon for keeping intruders at a respectful distance. 

 Our fossil possessed none of these advantages : the large develop- 

 ment and anterior extension of the pectoral fins must have rendered 

 the locomotive efforts of Cyclohatis little more effectual than the 

 systole and diastole of a Medusa. The safety of the fish, then, 

 could not depend upon flight. But these organs, however ill 

 adapted for speed, are admirably formed for concealment, and 

 when applied to the sand at the bottom of the ocean, would act 

 as the leather suckers with which mischievous boys draw up the 

 paving-stones in the streets, retaining the fish stationary, while 



