368 NEW-YORK FAUNA. 



THE PRICKLY RAY. 



R.AIA AMERICANA. 



PLATE LXVI. FIG. 215. (Male.) 



Characteristics. Uniform brown, unspotted. Snout elongated. Pointed groups of prickles 

 on the upper surface ; a vertebral series, and three series along the tail. 

 Length one to two feet. 



Description. Body rhomboidal. Snout projecting, attenuated, obtuse. Pectoral fins rounded, 

 subangular. A row of sharp spines on the superciliary ridge, and the interval between and 

 anterior to the eyes covered with numerous star-like points. An elongated heart-shaped space 

 extending from the eyes to the nose, glabrous. A central row of large spines, with lateral 

 rows of smaller ones, extending to the snout, which is covered at the tip with other spines. 

 The spines on the margin abreast of the eyes are broad at the base, with long, sharp and 

 wavy tips ; those on the pectorals longer, with narrower bases, and their points directed 

 inwards towards the vertebral line. The whole upper surface of the pectoral is also covered 

 with spines, which are most numerous towards the margins. The vertebral series of spines 

 with broad bases, pointed, recurved, and occasionally fan-shaped. On the tail, which was 

 much injured, there are three rows of spines ; one dorsal, and one on each of the sides. 

 Eyes oblong, prominent. Temporal orifices moderately large, and placed a short distance 

 behind the eyes. 



Two small dorsals near the tip of the tail. Ventrals widely emarginate. Beneath smooth, 

 except on the snout and anterior margin of the pectoral fins, which are armed with minute 

 prickles. Teeth small, conical, curved, with somewhat enlarged bases. 



Color. Uniform pale brownish above ; whitish beneath. 



Length 20-0; breadth, 13-0. Length of the tail, 9"0. 



I have never seen but the single specimen described above, and that was found on the 

 shore of Staten island, Richmond county. I supposed it to be the R. desmarestia of Le- 

 sueur, but a revision of its characters satisfies me that it is distinct from his Florida species. 

 Its teeth, and the disposition of its prickles, separates it from R. batis of Storer ; to which, 

 however, it is otherwise allied in shape. 



