384 REPORT OF THE 



of the trap at Menemsha. The average weight is 30 pounds, the maximum 75 

 pounds, the minimum 4 or 5 pounds. 



This fish has the ability to give powerful electric shocks, and has caused much 

 excitement among the fishermen. 



Suborder MASTICURA. Whip-tailed Rays. 

 Family DASYATIDiE. Sting Rays. 



25. Common Sting Ray {Dasyatis centrum Mitchill). 



Mitchill has described this fish as the Prickly-tailed Sting Ray, which he styles 

 ''A very large species found on the coast of Long Island, with a tail 5 feet or more 

 in length, covered all over with prickly shields or scales, and armed on its upper 

 side with two naked bones of 4 inches long, inversely serrated." 



Ayres reported that it was not uncommon in Old Man's Harbor after the middle 

 of July, 15 to 18 fish sometimes having been taken at one haul. It is now rare in 

 Gravesend Bay, but formerly hundreds were taken every year. 



26. Kit {Dasyatis hast at a DeKay). 



DeKa}' described the animal from a specimen captured off the coast of Rhode 

 Island by Mr. Carson Brevoort, of New York. In his specimen the length of the 

 body was 36^ inches, its width 42 inches, the length of its tail 61 inches, and the 

 Aveight no pounds. Mr. Brevoort informed DeKay that these rays appeared to 

 associate together. They moved slowly together through the water along the 

 edges of the rocks, about 3 feet below the surface. When captured, the individual 

 described whipped its tail about with great activity in all directions. From this 

 circumstance it has been called Whip Ray. 



This ray ranges from Maine to Cape Hatteras. Sometimes it grows to a length 

 of 12 feet. 



At Woods Hole, Mass., it is common during summer, appearing early in July. 



27. Southern Sting Ray {Dasyatis say Le Sueur). 



The Southern Sting Ray is mentioned among the Extra-Limital fishes by DeKay 

 on page 376 of his New York Fauna. He quotes his accompanying remarks from 

 Le Sueur. 



This Sting Ray is found on the coast from the Carolinas to Brazil. Occasionally 

 it migrates northward to New York. It is common in Florida. 



