1 18 Mr Lamonfis Account of a Colossal Ray or Skate . 
done so at the same time. On each side of the mouth projected 
a mass of cartilaginous substance like horns, about a foot and a 
half long, and capable of meeting before the mouth. These feelers 
moved about a great deal in swimming, and are probably of 
use in feeding. On looking on this animal as it lay on the 
ground with its back upwards, it might be said to be nearly of 
equal dimensions on every side, with the exception of the two 
lateral extremities, extending to a point about four feet from 
the body, and a tail about five feet long, four and a half inches 
in diameter at the root, and tapering to a point. Above the 
root of the tail was the dorsal fin, and on each side of it a flat 
and flabby substance lying close to the body, of the appearance 
of fins. There were no other distinct fins, and its sole propel- 
ling power seemed to be its two lateral extremities, which be- 
come very flat and thin towards the point. As it shows these 
much in swimming, it gives a spectator an extraordinary idea 
of its size, as, when imperfectly seen, the conclusion natural- 
ly is, if the breadth is so great, how much greater must the 
length be. This animal was a female, and viviparous. On 
opening it, a young one, about 20 pounds weight, was taken out, 
perfectly formed, and which has been preserved. Wishing to 
know what it fed upon, I saw the stomach opened, which was 
round, about eight inches in diameter, and quite empty. It was 
closely studded over with circular spots of a muscular sub- 
stance. Under the stomach was a long bag, with transverse 
muscular layers from end to end, and which contained nothing 
but some slime and gravel. This muscular appearance of the 
digestive organs would lead one to suppose, that it fed upon 
other fish, as is the general opinion here, though its having no 
teeth does not support that idea. Its weight was so great that 
it was impossible to ascertain it at the time u ; but some idea may 
be formed of it, when I assure you, that it was with difficulty 
that forty men, with two lines attached to it, could drag it along 
the ground. Its bones were soft, and, with the exception of the 
jaw-bones, could be cut with a knife. One ridge of bone ran 
from the mouth to the middle of the back, where it was met 
by another running transversely, from the extremities of which 
there were two larger ones converging towards the tail.” 
