18. RHINOBA/TID^E RIIINOBATUS. 37 



34. PRISTIS LaMiain, 1794. 

 Saw-fishes. 



(Latham, Trans. Linii. Soc. ii, p. 276: type Squalus pristis ii.= Pristis antiqiiorum 

 Latham. ) 



The characters of the genus are included above, (-piarr^^ the ancient 

 name of the saw-fish, from -/nV-r/c, a sawyer.) 



44. P. antiquorimi Latham. Saw-fish. 



Anterior dorsal opposite ventrals; caudal fin without lower lobe; ros- 

 tral teeth in 10 to 20 pairs, nearly equidistant, stout, provided with a 

 cutting anterior edge ; the size of the teeth subject to considerable varia- 

 tions; caudal fin without lower lobe ; color grayish. Length 10 to 15 feet. 

 Atlantic Ocean ; common on both shores, especially southward ; probably 

 entering rivers. 



(Squalus pristis L. Syst. Naturae : Pristis antiquenon Latham, Trans. Linn. Soc. 1794, 

 ii, 297; Giinther, viii, 438.) 



FAMILY XVIII RHINOBATID^E 



(The Long-nosed Rays.} 



Shark-like rays. Trunk gradually passing into the long and strong 

 tail, which is provided with two well-developed dorsal lius, a caudal fin 

 and a conspicuous dermal fold on each side ; disk not broad, the rayed 

 portion of the pectoral fins not being continued to the snout ; no conspic- 

 uous spines, the skin being nearly smooth ; no electric organs. Genera 

 3 to 5 ; species about 15 ; inhabiting warm seas. The form of the body 

 is as much shark-like as is that of the shark Squatina. (Rhinolatidce Giin- 

 ther, viii, 440-448.) 



* First dorsal ranch behind the ventrals ; anterior nasal valves not confluent. 



RHINOBATUS, 35. 



35. RHINOBATUS Bloch & Schneider, 1801. 



(Schneider ed. Bloch, Ichthy. : type Rh'wobalus rhinobatus Bloch & Sclmeider=.B7m)o- 

 Latus (jratnilatus Cuv.) 



Body depressed, gradually passing into the tail. Cranial cartilage 

 produced into a long rostral process, the space between the process and 

 the pectoral fin being filled by membrane. Spiracles wide, behind the 

 eye ; nostrils oblique, vyide ; anterior valves not confluent. Teeth ob- 

 tuse, with an indistinct transverse ridge. Dorsal fins without spine ; 

 both at a great distance behind the ventral fins. Caudal fin without 

 lower lobe. (piy, a shark, Squatina; /3aroc, a skate.) 



