Fishes of Massachusetts. 555 
but have met myself with but one species taken in 
our waters. 
A larger “ Hel’ than the species I have describ- 
ed, is found at Holmes Hole. Dr. Yale writes me 
that *a Sea eel, weighing from twelve to fifteen 
pounds, is not unfrequently taken about Noman's 
Land, by the fishermen, and is considered good eat- 
ing." He has seen but one specimen, and that was 
taken some years ago in the Vineyard sound. 
Dr. Yale tells me that a species of “ Zysena"^— 
Hammer-headed shark, is common at Holmes Hole. 
A species of * T'ryson" is met with also, at 
Holmes Hole. Thus Dr. Yale writes me, “I have 
seen frequently in this harbor and have assisted 
in taking them, but owing to their poisonous nature 
when wounded by their sting, we have been rather 
cautious about taking them into the boats; so that 
we seldom see one on shore. One or two individ- 
uals in this vicinity have come well nigh losing 
their lives by a wound from them. In July and 
August they are abundant on the flats in the har- 
bor here." In the first volume of the “ Journal of 
the Academy of Natural Sciences," Le Sueur des- 
cribes three species of “ Raia,” one found at New- 
port, R. L, and two at Egg Harbor, N. J. "These 
all evidently belong to the genus “ Trygon,” Adans. ; 
and as the species belonging to this genus are 
commonly called ** Sting rays," this species spoken 
of by Dr. Yale, is much more likely to be one of 
these, found in neighboring waters, than one known 
to exist at a distance of thousands of miles ; there- 
fore I shall not allow the *pastinaca," the Euro- 
