CHAP. XXXII. Of the Pastinaca marina, or Sting-Ray, which some call the Fierce-claw.
SUch as are stung by a Sting-Ray (as Aëtius hath written) the place of the wound doth manifestly appeare; there ensues thereon lasting paine and the numnesse of the whole body. And seeing that it hath a sharpe and firme sting, whereby the nerves by the deepnesse of the stroake may be wounded, it so happens that some die forthwith, their whole bodies suf∣fering convulsions. Moreover it wil kil even the very trees into whose roots it is fast∣ned. Yet Pliny affirmes that it is good against the paine of the teeth, if the gums bee scarified therewith, yea, and it being made into powder with white hellebore, or of it selfe, will cause teeth to fall out without any pain, or any violence offered to them. This fish is good meat, the head and taile excepted; some of them have two stings, othersome but one; these stings are sharpe like a Saw with the teeth turned towards their heads. Oppianus writes, that their stings are more poysonous than the Persians arrowes, for the force of the poyson remaineth, the fish being dead, which will kill not onely living creatures, but plants also. Fishermen, when they catch this fish, pre∣sently spoile him of his sting, lest they should bee hurt therewith. But if by chance they bee hurt therewith, then take they forth his Liver and lay it to the wound; furthermore the fish being burnt and made into powder, is the true Antidote of his wound. The Sting-Ray lives in muddy places neare the shoare, upon the fishes that hee hunteth and catcheth with his sting, having the teeth thereof turned towards his head for the same purpose. Hee is not unlike a Ray, and I have here given you his figure.