210 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
The following- list of 131 species coinx)rises the collection under consideration. As 
their specific characterizations are j)ublished elsewhere, the aunotations are from an 
economic standpoint entirely, it being the intention to give only such information as 
relates to their habitat, abundance, size, habits, and their comparative value as food- 
fishes. The vernacnlar names given are those used by the fishermen. 
SPHYRNIDiE. 
1. Sphyrna tiburo (Linn.). Bonnet-head Shark. This curious shark is commou about the Florida 
keys aud at the passes aad iulets of both coasts. It grows to about 6 feet iu length. It is of 
no economic importance, I obtained several small examples about 3 feet long at Tampa and 
Key West. 
PRISTIDIDJE. 
2. Pristis pectinatus Latham. Sawfish. Commou on both coasts of Florida in the bays aud along 
the keys. It grows to a length of 20 feet. No use is made of it except that its saw is pre- 
served and sold as a curiosity. It is viviparous, the young being some 2 feet in length when 
born. It does considerable damage to turtle nets aud other set nets by becoming entangled in 
the meshes, and is capable of iuliictiug severe wounds with its saw, if interfered with. On 
this account it is always killed by the fishermen when captured; but the prevalent stories of 
the books alleging that the sawfish uses its saw as an offensive weapon iu procuring food by 
cutting, slashing, and tearing other fishes must be taken cum grano satis. 1 have seen hundreds 
of sawfishes, big and little, engaged in procuring food by raking the sand of the bottom, but I 
have never observed them using the saw to disable other fishes. The character of its minute 
teeth indicates that its food consists of small organisms. It is a bottom feeder, like all of the 
rays. I obtained a specimen 8 feet in length at Tamj)a. 
RHINO BATIDiE. 
3. Rhinobatus lentiginosus Garmau. Eleclric-fish. Not uncommon about the Florida keys. It 
grows to several feet iu length. It is called the “electric fish ” by the fishermen, who ascribe 
to it considerable electric powers. I failed to secure a living specimen in order to test the 
matter, though I obtained several adult examples about 2 feet long at Key West and one 
at Tampa. 
DASYATID.S1. 
4. Pteroplatea maclura (Le Sueur). Butter fig Ray. Common in the bays of the west coast. It is of 
no economic importance. I obtained several sjrecimens a foot or two in diameter in Sarasota 
Bay. 
5. Dasyatis centrura (Mitchill). Stingarec. Common in the bays of both coasts. The fishermen 
dread the largest ones, as its “sting” fserrated spine) is su)iposed to be iioisouous. At all 
events it is capable of causing a very serious wound. I procured several examples at Tampa, 
and one in Sarasota Bay that measured 6 feet across the iiectorals. 
6. Dasyatis sayi (Le Sueur). Stingaree. Not uncommon about the southern keys and the iulets 
of the coasts. I obtained one at Mullet Key, near the entrance to Tampa Bay. The sting- 
rays are not utilized in any way in Florida. 
7. Dasyatis sabina (Le Sueur). Stingaree. Commou in the bays and lagoons of both coasts, often 
running ux^ the streams to fresh water. I obtained several small ones iu Tamx)a and Sarasota 
bays. 
MYLIOBATIDIE. 
8. Stoasodon narinari (Enjilirasen). Jl'liqi Rag. Not uncommon on the west coast. It is a very 
handsome ray, being dark brown and thickly covered with white spots a half inch to an inch 
in diameter. The long tail is irreserved as a curiosity. I x>rocured a fine exam^rle, some 4 
feet iu diameter, from Sarasota Bay, 
