115 



SANDY RAY. 



OWL. 



Raia circularis, Loudon ; Magazine of Natural History, new series, 



vol. ii. 

 " " Couch ; Cornisli Fauna, p. 53. 



I CAN scarcely refer to Mr. YarrcU's figure for this species, 

 as it bears some characters Avhich 1 am not able to identify. 

 The Sandy Ray is a common species, at least in the west of 

 England, but it is more rarely caught in the winter, perhaps 

 because fishermen do not go at that season to the places it 

 frequents, which are in deep water at a considerable distance 

 from land. It is probable also that it changes its quarters 

 according to the season, for the earliest I have known in the 

 spring have been found at twelve leagues from land. It is 

 disregarded as food, for which the reason assigned is, that it 

 does not readily receive the salt for preservation. 



The example selected for description measured three feet 

 eight inches in length, of which the tail was nineteen inches; 

 in breadth two feet four inches and a half; projection of the 

 snout three fourths of an inch. The mouth distant from the 

 snout six inches, three inches and a half wide; under jaw 

 peaked in the middle; the teeth slender, sharp, in rows not 

 closely placed; nostrils lobed. Anterior margin of the disk 

 slightly waved, and assuming a circular form, especially rounded 

 off at its greatest breadth, which is at about the middle of 

 the disk. From the snout the ridge is elevated to the eyes, 

 a distance of five inches and a quarter; the eyes two inches 

 apart; spiracles large. The body is thickest posteriorly; tail 

 stout at its origin, rounded above, and tapering; a groove 

 along the body and tail; two fins on the latter, close together. 



