These monstrosities are found off Barbadoes, off Jamaica, and in the tropical waters of the Atlantic and Pacific.
A particularly vicious kind hovers about the Pearl Fisheries near Panama, to the terror of the divers. The creature is reported to fold its vast “wings” about any unfortunate man within reach, and then to devour him. This answers to the usual method of ground-rays in feeding. They glide over the object they wish to devour, settle down upon it, hold it fast by the grip of a broad and heavy body, and deliberately tear it to pieces.
CHAPTER XXIV.
BEHEMOTHS OF THE OCEAN
“There is that leviathan, whom Thou hast formed to take his pastime therein.”
Ps. civ. 26, R.V.
“Canst thou draw out Leviathan with a fish hook?
Or press down his tongue with a cord?
Canst thou put a rope into his nose?
Or pierce his jaw through with a hook?”
Job xli. 1, R.V.