462 XOTES OK, AND UKSCRIPTIOXS OF AfSTRAMAX KISUES, 



and the darker areas around tlie head and shoulders are very definite. As the 

 fish increases in size, the darker spots and hands are frradually lost, and in the 

 largest specimens ot the series comjiaratively few remain ; simultaneously large 

 light bluish ocelli appear and gradually become the most striking feature of the 

 back. The degree of maculation and ocellation varies in each specimen, but 

 the series indicates that the change from the one to the other is the normal 

 condition. The \erteliral tubercles aie wanting in tlie youngest specimens, and 

 are more numerous and larger in some of the larger examples than in others. 



. The development of the elaspers varies remarkably. In some large speci- 

 mens they do not attain the margins of the ventral fins, while in others of 

 similar size, structure, and colouration, they are gi'eatly enlarged and reach far 

 beyond the ventrals; similar variation is presented by the smaller specimens. 

 These two fomis are exhibited in the specimens figured, the elaspers of the 

 smaller si)ecimen being considerably larger than those of the older example. 



Locs.—On Bustard Head, Queensland. 14-20 fathoms. 



This species has l)eeu recorded from the PaiTainatta River estuary by 

 Ogilby. One of his specimens is still preserved in the Australian Museum, 

 whicli tliougli stufTcd and witliout colour-marking, exhibits the general characters 

 of I). Jnihlii. 



T)ASYAT[s uKKVicAUDATUs Hutton. (Text-fig. 2 — tail). 



Da^i/atis brericaudatua (Hutton), McCulloch, Biol. Res. Endeavour, iii., 3, 1915, 

 p. 102, PI. XV.. fig. 1, and PI. xvii.. fig. ] ; Wiiite. Rec. S. Austr. Mus., ii., 1, 

 1921, p. 31 (? not fig. 44). 



Variation. — Several tails of this species have been examined which exhibit 

 considerable variation in the armature of their upper surfaces anterior to the 

 caudal spine. In three from 20 fathoms off Norah Head, New South Wales, 

 one has six large spine-bearing tubercles in a row, another has one, while the 

 third has ncme. Another from Coffin Bay, South Australia, and lent to me 

 for examination by Mr. E. R. Waite, is quite similar to those from New South 

 Wales; it is armed with five strong spines directly before the caudal spine. All 

 have the sulwaudal lobe well developed, commencing below the base and ter- 

 minating below the tip of the caudal spine. The spinate tubercles on the sides 

 are smaller than those of D. thelidis. 



The .specimen which is figured by Waite (t^ide supra) is evidently distinct 

 from D. hrericand/itu-f:. differing in its much longer tail ruid colour-marking. 

 Mr. Waite informs uie it was not an Australian specimen. 



Localities. — Oil' Norah Head. New South Wales. 20-40 fathoms; coll. P. 

 McNeill. .Tunc. 1921; off Botany Bay. New South Wales. 40 fathoms; coll. A. 

 LivingstoiH'. September. 1921 ; ("<il1in Bay. South .\ustralia. South Australian 

 Museum. 



Dasvatis tmktidis (Ogilby) Waite. (Plate xl.. figs. 1-2: Text-figs. 1 and 3). 



lilack Skate. 



noKnads thi'tidiK (Ogilby), Waite. Mem. Austr. .Mus,. iv., 1, 1899, p. 46. 



Disc s\ibinmdrangular, wider than long, its length from the tip of the 

 snout to the jiosterior angle of the pectorals 1.23 in the breadth. Snout a little 

 prominent. Anterior margins slightly sinuous, feebly convex on each side of 

 the snout an<l then very slightly concave; outer angles ilistinct but rounded. 

 Postero-latcral bordci-s of the disc a little convex, nearly straight, and forming 

 obtuse angles with the inner margins of the pectorals. Ventrals subi|uadrangular, 

 the edges rounded. A row of seven strong rounded or oval sl^'lhitc tubcrdet! 



