. A textbook in general zoology. Zoology. FISHES 217 Some rays are peculiar in having an electrical organ in the body that is capable, in the larger ones, of generating enough electricity to disable a man. It is probable that this is usetl in catching prey and in defending themselves from enemies. Other rays have long spines on their tails with which they can inflict serious wounds. These are the sting rays (Fig. 152). The sawfishes, which belong to the ray family, have long, sharklike bodies with the snout prolonged into a flat, horny blade beset with teeth on each side (Fig. 153). This saw v
. A textbook in general zoology. Zoology. FISHES 217 Some rays are peculiar in having an electrical organ in the body that is capable, in the larger ones, of generating enough electricity to disable a man. It is probable that this is usetl in catching prey and in defending themselves from enemies. Other rays have long spines on their tails with which they can inflict serious wounds. These are the sting rays (Fig. 152). The sawfishes, which belong to the ray family, have long, sharklike bodies with the snout prolonged into a flat, horny blade beset with teeth on each side (Fig. 153). This saw varies from four to six feet in length and ten to twelve inches in width. It constitutes a formidable weapon against its enemies. The sawfishes are found off the coast of Florida and in tropical seas farther south. Sturgeons, gar pike, etc.—The orders of fishes represented by the sturgeons, gar pike, spoonbill catfish, and bowfin seem to stand between the sharks and rays on the one hand and the bony fishes on the other. These few fishes, known as the ganoids, are the remnants of a host of similar fishes that lived in the Devonian and Carboniferous ages. They are notable for tlie bony plates that arm the outside of the body instead of the flexible scales on the bonj^ fishes. Also for the lunglike structure and function of the air bladder. The air bladder in these fishes is connected with the gullet by an. Fig. 153.—San-of a Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original Herrick, Glenn W. (Glenn Washington), 1870-1965. New York, Cincinnati [etc. ] American Book Company
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