388 MANUAL OF ZOOLOGY sect. 



tral absent. The paired fins are very differently developed 

 in the two groups. In the sharks both pairs are well devel- 

 oped, the pectoral being the larger. In the rays or skates 

 the pectoral fins are extremely large, very much larger than 

 the pelvic, fringing the greater part of the length of the 

 flattened body, and becoming prolonged forwards on either 



Fig. 23s. — European sting-ray (Urolophus cruciatus). (After Gunther.) 



side and even in front of the head, so that the animal presents 

 the appearance of a broad fleshy leaf. 



In all recent Elasmobranchs the male has, connected with 

 the pelvic fins, a pair of grooved appendages, the daspers 

 or pterygodia, which subserve copulation. 



The mouth is situated on the ventral surface of the head, 

 usually a considerable distance from the anterior extremity. 



