TORPEDO. 
127 
At first the attempt to apportion to those supposed species 
their true distinctive characters was built upon an attention to 
the remarkable spots, usually five in number, which are often 
placed in regular order on the surface of the disk; the absence 
or orderly arrangement of which was supposed to constitute 
the definite mark of a species. But it has been found by 
observation that in fishes in other respects closely resembling 
each other, these spots, as well as the general colour of the 
surface, are exceedingly liable to vary; and that in many cases, 
and especially in those found on our own coasts, they are usually 
found wanting; and it is furtlier said that they commonly do 
not occur in young examples. More extended inquiry may 
shew that when they occur these spots are more frequent in 
one species than another, or that when present their arrange- 
ment may be specific; but these particulars, so far as they are 
now known, are attended with so much uncertainty that, setting 
all others aside, I shall confine myself to a single one, which, 
in our present state of knowledge, appears the least liable to 
uncertainty; and according to which I form the following 
arrangement or references: — 
Cramp Bay, with a fringed border to the spiracles, the fringes 
described as from six to ten in number. 
Torpedo narhe, 
“ vulgaris. 
;• a 
<1 
it (> 
Si i 
ii 
(( (• 
llaie Torpille, 
Cuvier. 
JoKSTON; Tab. 9, f. 3, 5, 6. 
Willoughby; as described. 
Bloch; pi. 122. Donovan; pi. 63. 
Eisso; pi. 3, f. 4 and 6. T. marniorata 
and T. Galvani. Toi-pille vulgaire. 
Fleming; Br. An., p. 169. 
Jenyns; Manual, p. 509. 
Yaubell; Br. Fishes, vol. ii, p. 543. 
Lacepede ; who speaks of it as having 
sometimes a fringed border to the 
spiracle, as if this were liable to 
uncertainty. 
Cramp Bay with plain spiracles. 
Torpedo Oalvanii, Cuvier. Jonston ; Tab. 9, f. 4. 
“ “ Willoughby ; T. D. 4. The tail badly 
represented. 
