Page:The American Cyclopædia (1879) Volume XIV.djvu/238

 222 RAY former ; the anterior part of the body forms a disk by the union of the pectoral fins with the snout, the latter divided from the former by a furrow, whence these have been called beaked rays ; the first dorsal is over the ventrals ; the caudal bilobed, with the upper lobe the larger, and the keel of the sides continued along it ; margins of mouth generally undulated, three protuberances of the under jaw fitting into corresponding indentations in the upper; nos- trils longitudinal near the mouth, with flaps. In the family raiidce or the typical rays, the Smooth Skate (Rala laeris). snout is more or less pointed, the disk of the body and pectorals usually rhombic ; tail slen- der, with two small dorsals near the end and sometimes a caudal ; spiracles near the eyes ; mouth curved, with the convexity forward ; teeth of males with a central cusp in spawn- ing time ; skin either smooth or studded with prickles pointing backward, sometimes with spines on th'e dorsal ridge and sides of tail. This family includes the genus rnia (Cuv.), with about 30 species, embracing the best known in America and in Europe, and such as are com- monly eaten in the latter. The smooth ray or common skate of the northern coast of America is the rain Icecis (Mitch.) ; it is of a uniform light brownish color above, and dingy white below ; the female is marked above with black- ish spots ; it attains a length of from 3 to 6 ft., and a weight of 200 Ibs. ; it is found from New York to the British provinces ; the body is gen- erally smooth, but there are small spines about the orbits, on the anterior edge of the pectorals, and on the tail ; the snout is blunt, and the teeth in compact rows, six-sided and nearly smooth. Its flat form is peculiarly adapted for life on or near the bottom ; the usual mode of progression is by a gentle undulating move- ment of the pectorals, intermediate between flying and swimming ; when in pursuit of prey or escaping from its enemies, the motions are rapid. The young are produced twice a year, in spring and in autumn, deposited in thin, horny, nearly quadrangular cases. Its flesh is said by Mr. Perley to be extensively consumed, and the fleshy part of the pectorals to be beau- tifully white and delicate ; it is usually dressed in long thin slips, rolled like ribbon. On the coast of New England, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick it is frequently taken by the cod fishers, being generally hooked by its pectorals; it is pulled up like a dead weight to near the surface, unless caught by the mouth or head, and struggles violently on being drawn out. It feeds on fish, crustaceans, and mollusks, and is very voracious ; it digs up clams with its powerful spade-like snout, crushing them easily with its rolling flattened teeth. The skin is covered with an abundant tenacious slime. There are eight or nine species in European waters, some attaining a weight of 200 Ibs. The sharp-nosed ray (/?. oxyrhyncha, Linn.) attains a length of 6 ft. ; this is the favorite species in the French markets. The common skate or ray (R. batis, Linn.) is a large species, with a granulated skin above ; the color ia brown above, cinereous below or grayish white with black specks. Several species are com- mon in the London market, where the females are known as maids. In the family trygonidoe or sting rays the tail is slender, often whip- like, naked or bearing one or more barbed spines ; no caudal fin ; pectorals large, uniting in front of the head ; spiracles large and close behind the eyes ; teeth small, transversely elliptical, and ridged ; skin either smooth or prickly, but without prickles on the pectorals. The American whip sting ray (pattinaca ha- tata, Do Kay) occurs on the coast of the middle states, in Long Island sound, and sometimes on American Sting Bay (Pastinaca hastate), under surface. the coast of Massachusetts ; it is olive brown above, and white below ; it attains a length of from 5 to 8 ft., including the tail. It ia not uncommon on the shores of New Jersey, where it is caught both by hook and seine, varying in size from a breakfast plate to a width of 4 ft. and a tail of 6 ft. ; the fisher- men always cut off the tail at once, to prevent wounds from its spines, which, being serrated, produce extensive lacerations accompanied by severe inflammation. The principal use made of this species, and indeed of all the rays in