-556 Storer on the 
pean species, is our fish, until some naturalist may 
have settled the matter satisfactorily. 
Another species of “Raia” is common in our 
waters. It is known among fishermen, as the 
T'hornback. Several years since, I had an opportu- 
nity of examining one, which, at the time, I supposed 
to be the “radiata” of Donovan. This specimen 
was two feet in length, and twenty inches across the 
pectorals; and in its stomach, I found the head of a 
menhaden, measuring three inches in length. The 
fisherman who brought it to me, assured me he had 
caught specimens very much larger than this. ' This 
species is undoubtedly the “clavata,” thornback, 
or *radiata," Starry ray. 
That a species of “ Torpedo” is found upon the 
coast of Cape Cod, is, I think, satisfactorily settled 
_ by the following testimony : 
In Whitman’s description of Wellfleet, in the third 
volume of the “ Massachusetts Historical Collec- 
tions," he says, ‘‘ Cramp fish have been caught on 
our shores." In a description of Truro, in the same 
volume, we read, ‘‘ The cramp fish has sometimes 
been seen on the beach." *“ This fish, which re- 
sembles a sting ray in size and form, possesses the 
property of the torpedo, being capable of giving a 
distinct electrical shock.” Dr. Davis writes me from 
South Wellfleet, under date of October 24, 1837 : 
“Cramp fish are occasionally seen upon our shores.” 
Mr. E. Freeman, fishmonger in Quincy market, tells 
me that forty years ago, two or three specimens 
of this fish were frequently found dead upon the 
beaches at Wellfleet in a single day, also at Griffin’s 
