; 
Chap. X.] RAYS. 327 
occurrence, as such huge monsters usually retreat into 
the depths of the sea, where they are secure from the 
THE EAT (AE TO BATES NARINARI), 
molestation of man. It is, generally speaking, only the 
young and the smaller species that approach the coasts, 
where they find a greater supply of those marine animals 
which form their food. The Rays have been divided into 
several generic groups, and the one of which a drawing 
(Aetobates narinari l ) is given, has very marked charac- 
teristics in its produced snout, pointed and winged-like 
pectoral fins, and exceedingly long, flagelliform tail. The 
latter is armed with a strong, serrated spine, which is 
always broken of! by the fishermen immediately on cap- 
ture, under the impression that wounds inflicted by it 
are poisonous. Their fears, however, are utterly ground- 
1 Raja narinari, Bl. Sclui. p. 361. Henle., Plagiost. p. 179, 
Aetobates narinari, Miill. und 
Y 4 
