TORPEDO. 
129 
tile front almost straight, except that it slightly recedes at the 
place where the snout is usually found slightly projecting in 
the family of Uays; and a small projection is to be discerned 
at the border opposite each eye. The thickness and plumpness 
of the body extend to near the cii-cumference. The eyes small, 
and embedded in the surface, so that the sight appears directed 
ujnvard; but they do not strictly answer to each other. Spi- 
racles oval, simple, a corner directed obliquely forward. The 
right ventral fin passing a little further back than the left; 
side of the caudal portion having a ridge. The first dorsal fin 
at the part where the caudal portion joins the disk, at the end 
of the ventrals ; second dorsal a little behind the first, and 
smaller. Tail with a lobe below and above, the edge of the 
lower portion passing a little further forward than the upper. 
The mouth small, arched, the teeth sharp, and moveable, from 
the loose condition of the membrane on which they are placed; 
the jaw-bone slight and feeble. Nostrils nearer the sides of the 
mouth than in the Rays generally; connected to each other by 
a loose fimbriated curtain, which has a deeper notch in the 
middle Colour dark brown, with a tinge of blackish purple; 
a lighter brown margin round the eyes. It was a female. 
Examples of this fish have been obtained in different parts 
of England and Ireland; and we may suppose it is only because 
fishermen do not often resort to the slimy and unproductive 
places it frequents, that it is not much more frequently caught. 
Five were noticed in one year in the Mount’s Bay, in Corn- 
wall; two or three came under the observation of William B. 
Cocks, Esq., of Falmouth; and an example was obtained at 
Weymouth, by William Thompson, Esq. A specimen has been 
seen that weighed a hundred pounds; but it is to be remarked 
that the spots which were so conspicuous in these fishes in the 
Mediterranean, have not been noticed with us. A snout, how- 
ever, was discernible in one or two, at least, which were obtained 
in the Mount’s Bay. 
Torpedo’s Teeth, enlarged size. 
