KAiAioa:. FISHES. Squatinidje. 
cclii 
1842 lie was fortunate in having a specimen sent to 
liiin from Wellfleet, where it was captured. It ap- 
pears to liave been met with only on the eastern 
sliore of Cape Cod, for an extent of about thirty 
miles, between Provincetown and Orleans. On the 
eastern shore of Long Point, Provincetown, it is 
most common, but has been observed only in the 
months of September, October and November. 
About the year 1819 it was seen to be unusually 
common at Provincetown, from sixty to eighty being 
seen in a year. In 1846 Storer ascertained, during a 
visit to Martha’s Vineyard, that it was taken in 
the waters around the shore south of Cape Cod. A 
living specimen, weighing about sixty pounds, was 
lirought to Boston by Capt. Atwood. 'I’his specimen 
was examined by Drs. Storer and Jackson. 'I'he 
shock was scarcely perceptible while the Fish was 
lying on deck, quiet. On taking it by the tail, and 
with the other hand placed on the portion of the pec- 
toral fins which is supplied with the nerves from the 
filth pair, quite a shock was perceived in the arms as 
high as the elbows. Capt. Atwood, a most reliable 
and intelligent observer, asserts that he has “receiv- 
ed a great many shocks which have thrown him upon 
the ground as quick as if he had been knocked down 
with an axe.” He has “also received shocks by 
taking hold of the pole of a harpoon when at the dis- 
tance of eight feet from the Fisli. Also has felt the 
numbness while holding the rope attached to the 
harpoon.” Even when cutting the Fish the fingers 
would be so affected that he with difficulty grasped 
the handle of the knife. 'I’he largest specimens of 
'I'oi'pedo found in our waters weigh nearly two hun- 
dred pounds. 'I’he liver of this Fish yields, in the 
largest, about three gallons of oil, which is regarded 
as of superior quality for burning. Belon figures a 
species which he names La Tremble, or La Torpille; 
in Greek, Narce. 'I'he Romans called it Ochiatella. 
Rondelet presents a rude figure with the same no- 
menclature. 
Family — RAIAIDA5. 
This group derives its family name from the Ray; 
Latin, raia. 'J’his term is said to be from the Anglo- 
Saxon, reoh, meaning rough, many of the species 
having a rough skin. 'I'he Rays are all remai-kable 
and characteristic in shape. 'I’he immense develop- 
ment of the pectoral fins, which form a wide, salient 
angle at the sides, run forward, completely envelop- 
ing the head, and for the most part forming a long 
conical projection in front of it; the other fins are 
insignificant and are generally placed on the tail ; 
the latter being armed with strong spines. 'I’he 
female is oviparous, laying eggs enveloped in a green- 
ish, lectangular-shaped paichment case, having four 
filaments that, I’eadily become entwined in sea-weed 
or floating debris. 'I’hese eggs are known among 
fishermen as “sailor’s purses,” and are quite common 
on the sea beaches. Between thirty and foi ty spe- 
cies are known. 
CLEAE-NOSED RAY (Laia eglanteria (Lac.), Le- 
sexir ). — Has a I’ange from Nova Scotia to Florida. 
Mitchill has described it as R. diaphanes and as R. 
ocellata. Storer and DeKay retain the first name of 
Mitchill. 'I’his Ray is exceedingly common in the 
waters near Nahant, and attains the length of three 
feet. Rondelet and Belon figure several species, and, 
also, the curious egg case. 
SUMMER SKATE {R. erinaceus, Mitch.) — 'I’his is 
recorded by Gill as a doubtful species. Its range is 
from Cape Cod southward. Mitchill described it, 
and DeKay records it as 'I’hr Hedgehog Ray, the 
specific name referring to its spiny or Hedgehog ap- 
pearance. 
SHARP-NOSED SKATE (R. Icevis, iftfcA.)— Called, 
also, Winter Skate. Habitat, from Nova Scotia 
to Florida. 'J’his is described by Mitchill as 'I’he 
Smooth Skate. DeKay says : “It is an exceedingly 
common species in the autumn about New York. 
With its powerful spade-like snout it roots up clams 
and crushes them between its flattened teeth, which 
appear to act upon each other like the cylinders of a 
rolling mill.” 'I’his Ray is very common in Massa- 
chusetts I3ay, where it attains the length of from two 
to five feet. 
Family— PRIS'l’IDiE. 
'I’his family has the characteristics of the Sharks 
and Rays combined. 'I'he snout is prolonged into a 
flat appendage, armed on each side with a row of 
sharp, spine-like teeth. 
SAW-FISH {Pristis antiguorum (Linn.), Lath .) — 
L^late XL, fig. viii. — Ranges from Cape Cod soutli- 
ward. 'I’liis remarkable Fish attains the length of 
fifteen feet. DeKay says he has never met with an 
undoubted specimen from our coast, and quotes 
Schcepff, who says : “An individual was captured at 
New York in July, 1782. It was fifteen feet long, 
including the saw.” 'I’he Saw-fish is common among 
the keys of the Florida Reef. Belon figures the 
saw-shaped snout. Rondelet figures a Saw-fish in 
the form of a Cetacean, with horizontal tail, whale- 
like pectorals, and a blow-hole through which the 
stream of water is represented coming forth in a 
column. In short, it is a figure of a Whale with the 
proper saw development of a Saw-fish ; it is also 
classed with the Whales, and is named LaVivelle. 
Family— SQUATINID^. 
Of this family, only one genus with one species is 
represented in American waters. 
ANGEL-FISH; SHARK-RAY [Sqxiatina dximerili, 
Leseur). — 'I’he excessive ugliness of this Fish is the 
cause of its principal trivial designation. It is also 
called in Europe Monk-fish, or Monkey-fish, King- 
ston and Fiddle-fish, from its shape. In New York 
it is known as Little Bull-head Shark. Its range 
is from Cape Cod to Florida. 'I’he shagreen of this 
species has long been used for polishing wood. Aris- 
totle speaks of it with I'eference to this use. Belon 
and Rondelet figure it, the latter under the name 
Lange. Gill regards this American species as uncer- 
tain. DeKay figures it as the “American Angel- 
fish. Length, thiee to four feet. Very rare.” In 
England this Fish is named “Mongrel Skate,” where 
it attains the length of ten feet. Plate 16, fig. 78. 
