Raia. FISHES. CHONDROPT. 171 



Those with a subulate extremity and a broad radiated base, cover the surface 

 of the pectorals and in front of the eyes. Those which are large, conical, 

 curved, with a grooved base, occur, one in front of each eye, a few imme- 

 diately behind, and a prominent row along the middle of the back and ridge 



of the tail. Small spines occur in the loins and on each side of the eyes. 



This species was first announced as British by Mr Donovan, who procured 

 a young one in London, from the north coast. It is evidently the R. Fullo- 

 nica of Fabricius, who describes the armature with his accustomed precision. 

 The teeth, he adds, are broad at the base, elevated, pointed, and recurved 

 at their inner edge. 



** Central ridge of spines continued from the tail along the 



back. 



21. R. oxyrinchus. Sharp-nosed Ray. — Snout produced, 

 the margins subparallel. 



Will. Ich. 71. Linn. Syst. i. 395. Penn. Brit. Zool. iii. 83 S, White 



Skate, Friar Skate, May Skate, Mavis Skate Not rare. 



In the length of the body this species sometimes exceeds 6 feet, and weighs 

 nearly 500 lb. The body is remarkably depressed. The skin is quite smooth, 

 brown above, white beneath. Teeth sharp pointed, recurved, and broad at 

 the base. Tail short, with three rows of spines, the mesial one continued to 

 the head ; spines at the eyes. 



22. R. rubus. Rough Ray. — Above rough, with minute 



spines. Three rows of large spines on the tail. 



Rough [Ray and Fuller Ray, Penn. Brit. Zool. iii. 85. — Block Ich. tab. 

 84. — Don. Brit. Fishes, tab. xx. — E, Sand Ray ; S, Hommelin. 



Length upwards of 3 feet. Nose short. Body, above, yellowish-brown, 

 with dark spots ; beneath, white. Spines around "the eyes and on the snout. 

 — The spines likewise occur on the lower surface. Ventrals with only three 

 rays. Teeth 1 pointed. 



23. R. niicrocellata. Small-eyed Ray. — Above, rough, with 

 minute spines ; one row of small-hooked spines on the tail, con- 

 tinuing along the dorsal ridge to the head. 



Mont. Wern. Mem. ii. 430. — South-west coast of England. 

 Length 20 inches. Colour, above, brown, with pale scattered spots and 

 lines ; below, white and smooth. Snout obtuse. Eyes very -small, a spine 

 in front, several smaller ones behind. Teeth obtusely cuneiform, with a 

 broad edge, that feels rough to the finger as it is withdrawn from the mouth. 

 Were it not for the spines in the tail being in a single row, instead of three 

 rows, a circumstance Avhich may depend on age, it might be considered as the 

 R. punctata of Risso, Ich. p. 12. 



*** Middle of the back destitute qf large spines. 



24. R. Batis. Skate. — Skin rough. Three rows of spines 

 on the tail ; the points of those in the lateral rows directed for- 

 wards. 



R. hevis, Merr. Pen. 785. Sibb. Scot. 24. Will. Ich. 69 R. Batis, 



Linn. Syst. i. 395. Penn. Brit. Zool. iii. 82 — E, Homelyn, Guilt- 

 head ; S, Blue Skate, Grey Skate, Dinnen Skate — Common. 



This species sometimes reaches the weight of 200 pounds. Colour, above, 



