264 SEVENTH REPORT OF THE FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 



4. Clear-nosed Skate (Raja cglantcria Bosc). 



Raja eglanteria Bosc in LACE"PEDE, Hist. Nat. Poiss., II, 104, 109, 1800; JORDAN & 



EVERMANN, Bull. 47, U. S. Nat. Mus., I, 71, 1896. 

 Raja diaphanes MITCHILL, Trans. Lit. & Phil. Soc. N. Y., 478, 1815. 



The Clear-nosed Skate, sometimes called Briar Ray, reaches a length of 2 feet 

 or more. It inhabits the Eastern Coast of the United States from Cape Cod to 

 Florida ; it has been found moderately common in Great South Bay in and near 

 Fire Island Inlet. Early in September both males and females were caught at Fire 

 Island Inlet and Wigo Inlet, but in October the species appeared to be scarce. It 

 has no commercial value in the bay and is usually thrown away. 



At Woods Hole, Mass., it is not common. A few are taken every year in traps 

 at Menemsha, Martha's Vineyard. 



BARN DOOR SKATE. 



5. Barn Door Skate (Raja lavis Mitchill). 



Raja Icevis MITCHILL, Am. Month. Mag., II, 327, 1818. 

 Raia lavis DEK.AY, N. Y. Fauna, Fishes, 370, 1842. 



The Barn Door Skate reaches a length exceeding 4 feet; it is used to some 

 extent for food. The species has been taken in Gravesend Bay in October. It 

 suffers in captivity for the want of sand and mud and because of the lack of suitable 

 food, its average duration of life being 3 or 4 months. 



Mitchill described an individual measuring 49 inches which was caught at a 



