STINGAREE or STING RAY

(Dasyatis brevicaudatus).

This is our largest ray, growing to a diameter of 7 ft and a total length of 14 ft. It is found in Southern Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand, more commonly in the North Island. This ray is sandy to greyish in colour and, apart from its large size, is easily recognised by the row of spines on the tail, which resemble rose thorns, and the hard bony sting, up to 8 in. in length which projects at an angle from a mid position on the back of the tail.

by Arthur William Baden Powell, Assistant Director, Auckland Institute and Museum.