SOUTH AFRICA 39 



ft 44 to 50 rows of teeth; tail with 3 to 5 rows of enlarged spines in both 



sexes ; a rounded ocellus on each pectoral fin ocellifera. 



** Width of disc scarcely | of total length of fish; eye + spiracle 2| in length 

 of snout, which is 4^ in width of disc; 40 to 42 rows of teeth ... barnardi. 

 2. 3 or more rows of spines along middle of disc (except in young); usually a triangular 

 patch of enlarged spines on the shoulder; width of disc about f of total length of fish. 



a. 32 to 42 rows of teeth; interorbital width less than longitudinal diameter of eye; 

 eye + spiracle if in length of snout ... ... ••• caudaspinosa. 



b. 50 to 80 rows of teeth; interorbital width equal to or greater than longitudinal 

 diameter of eye; eye + spiracle 2 to 2f in length of snout kopardus. 



B. Upper surface of disc completely covered with close-set, fine, setiform spinules; no 

 enlarged spines (except in young); eye + spiracle 3^ in length of snout; 60 rows of teeth 

 (in adult) spinacidermis. 



Raja batis, Linnaeus. 



1758, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 231; Barnard, 1925, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., xxi, p. 70, pi. iv, fig. 3; 

 Clark, 1926, Fisheries, Scotland, Sci. Invest., 1926, i, p. 50, pis. xxxi, fig. b, xxxii, xxxiii, 

 figs, a and b. 

 Raia stabuliforis, von Bonde and Swart, 1923, Rep. Fish. Mar. Biol. Surv. S. Afric, in (1922), 

 Spec. Rep. v, p. 12. 



Disc broader than long, its width about f of the total length ; anterior margins more 

 or less undulated and deeply emarginate ; outer angles nearly rectangular. Vent rather 

 nearer to end of tail than to tip of snout. Snout acutely pointed, its length about 4^ 

 in width of disc. Interorbital width less than diameter of eye + spiracle, which is 

 about 2f in length of snout. Internasal width about 2i in praeoral length of snout. 

 Teeth more or less flat ; about 52 rows. Upper surface mainly smooth, but with some 

 small scattered spinules, chiefly on snout, anterior margins of pectorals and middle of 

 back ; 2 or 3 praeocular and i or 2 postocular spines ; a single large nuchal spine ; tail 

 with a median series of about 21 strong spines, alternately larger and smaller, and with 

 an irregular series of 4 or 5 spines on each side ; 3 spines between the dorsal fins. Lower 

 surface rough on snout, but otherwise smooth. Upper surface brownish, with a few 

 irregularly arranged darker spots ; lower surface greyish ; terminal parts of lateral line 

 tubules pigmented, appearing as small blackish spots and streaks. 



Hab. Coasts of Europe, from Iceland and Scandinavia to Madeira ; Mediterranean ( ?) ; 

 South Africa. 



Described from a single mounted female specimen, 680 mm. in total length (480 mm. 

 across disc), from off Cape Point, 100 fathoms. 



It is possible that the South African form described here will eventually prove to be 

 distinct from the European R. batis, but, as I have only seen a single stuffed example, 

 I have hesitated to separate the two at present. Comparison with a European example 

 of similar size suggests that the South African form may have a narrower interorbital 

 region and perhaps a larger eye, but since artificial eyes have been inserted in the 

 specimen accurate measurements are impossible. The arrangement of the spines on 

 the tail appears to be different, the disc is rather more spinulose, and the enlarged 

 nuchal spine has no counterpart in R. batis from Europe. 



