The Sting Ray


Pliny mentions the Sting Ray, and ascribes to it marvellous powers,

which it does not possess:--"There is nothing more to be dreaded than

the sting which protrudes from the tail of the Trygon, by our people

known as the Pastinaca, a weapon five inches in length. Fixing this in

the root of a tree, the fish is able to kill it; it can pierce armour,

too, just as though with an arrow, and to the strength of iron it adds

all the corrosive qualities of poison."



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