CATALOGUE OF VERTEBRATES. 665 



" Not uncommon. They are mostly taken in the spring, and 

 are occasionally eaten, but are not prized as an article of food." 



R. radiata, Donov. (americana, De K.) Starry Ray. Prickly Ray. 



Disk forms an obtuse angle at tip of snout ; about forty rows of 

 teeth ; besides spines as above, are strong spines with expanded 

 plate-like bases, one or two in front of eye, one between eye and 

 spiracle, a pair on shoulders and fourteen in a dorsal row ; teeth 

 hooked in male ; females larger and more spinous. 



" Rare. The writer has never met with a specimen, and De 

 Kay reports having seen but one, taken at Staten Island." 

 [C. C. A.] 



R. eglanteria, Lac. Brier Ray. 



With acute snout; color brown, with bands, bars, blotches, 

 &c. ; with small, very sharp prickles and larger spines in vari- 

 ous regions; two rows on each side of tail. Length, 2 feet. 

 Not common. 



R. Isevis, Mitch. Barndoor Skate. 



Angle at tip of snout much produced and shovel-like ; rows 

 of teeth nearly forty ; spines few and small, most spines on 

 female, as usual ; color variable, brownish, with paler spots. 

 Virginia northward. 



" Not uncommon. In 1860 a specimen was taken in the 

 Delaware River, above Philadelphia, and exposed in the Trenton 

 market for sale. It was captured in May, in a shad-net, and 

 lived five days out of water, and was afterward kept alive several 

 weeks in a tank made for it." 



Family TRIGONIDJE. 



Sting Rays. 



Disk broader than long ; pectorals confluent in front ; tail usually 

 whip-like, never bears two dorsals, and usually with a vertical fold 

 and a retrorsely-serrated spine (or several), capable of inflicting a 

 serious wound ; sexes alike ; ovoviviparous. 



