5GO 



RA1ID.E. 



tail included, is thus described by Dr. Parnell : " Body 

 rhomboidal, the transverse diameter equalling the distance 

 between the point of the snout and the last tubercle but 

 three on the central ridge of the tail ; from the point of the 

 snout to the temporal orifice, rather more than one-third the 

 length as far as the end of the anal fin, and one-fourth the 

 length as far as the termination of the first dorsal. Body 

 very thin ; snout pointed, conical ; pectorals large, somewhat 

 of a triangular form, uniting in front at the snout, and ter- 

 minating at the base of the ventrals ; the anterior margin 

 rather concave, the posterior margin rounded ; ventrals 

 about three times the length of their breadth ; anals 

 commencing close behind the ventrals, and terminating in 

 a free point ; rounded at the outer margins. Tail short 

 and firm, being no longer than the distance from the 

 base of the anal fin to the anterior margin of the orbit ; 

 along the mesial line is a line of tubercles with sharp points 

 directed downwards, about eighteen in number, commencing 

 at the base of the anal, and terminating at the commence- 

 ment of the first dorsal fin ; no lateral spines visible. First 

 dorsal fin small, rounded at the free extremity; situated 

 about one-third of the length of the tail from the tip ; the 

 base of the fin about equalling the length ; second dorsal 

 rather smaller than the first, and about the same form, placed 

 about half-way between the termination of the first and the 

 tip of the tail ; caudal fin rudimentary. Colour of the upper 

 surface of the body of a dark olive green, with numerous 

 white spots ; on the under surface dark grey, with minute 

 specks of a deeper colour. Eyes rather small, flattened 

 above, placed in front of the temporal orifices ; skin both 

 above and below perfectly smooth ; a strong, sharp, bent 

 spine in front of each orbit; ho spine or tubercles of any 

 description on the back. Mouth large, placed beneath ; 

 teeth small, not so large or so sharp as those in Raia batis. 



