38 DISCOVERY REPORTS 



has an actual comparison of specimens from the two regions been made. In addition, 

 Dr C. von Bonde and Mr D. B. Swart have published a report upon the skates and rays 

 collected by the S.S. ' Pickle ', in which five new species of the genus Raja are described. 

 Unfortunately, nearly all these species are based upon very small specimens, and no 

 indication is given by the authors as to their relationships with previously known forms. 

 The description of new species of this genus upon the basis of young individuals only 

 is to be regretted, as these fishes change considerably with age, and until a complete 

 series of stages becomes available it is quite impossible to refer such species to their 

 correct place in the system. 



Through the kindness of Dr von Bonde I have been able to examine type material 

 of R. parcomaciilata, R. albalinea, and R. leopardus, now preserved in the collection of 

 the Government Marine Survey of South Africa: the types of R. caiidaspinosa and 

 R. diirbanensis, said to be in the same collection, cannot unfortunately be found. Dr 

 Barnard has been good enough to send to the British Museum as a loan all the specimens 

 of Raja in the collection of the South African Museum, including three stuffed examples 

 exhibited in the public galleries, as well as the type of R. spinacidermis. For this courtesy, 

 and for the kindly interest that he has shown in this revision, I take this opportunity 

 of offering my warmest thanks. 



The arrangement of the species adopted here still remains more or less tentative, 

 and further material of most species, including as far as possible examples of all stages 

 of both sexes, will be required before it will be possible to arrive at any definite con- 

 clusions concerning the South African members of this difficult genus. 



Key to the South African Species 



I. Terminal parts of lateral line tubules on lower surface pigmented, appearing as small 

 blackish spots and streaks; only one enlarged spine on back in adult; anterior margins 

 of disc emarginate; vent nearer end of tail than tip of snout; length of snout about 4-J in 

 width of disc. ''^«'«- 



II. No pigment spots or streaks on lower surface; vent about equidistant from tip of snout and 

 end of tail or nearer the former; length of snout 4I to more than 6 in width of disc. 

 A. Disc never completely spinulose; eye + spiracle i§ to nearly 3 in length of snout. 

 I. Never more than one row of spines along middle of disc. 



a. Snout abruptly narrowed into a long sharp point; upper surface of disc quite 

 smooth ; 40 to 46 rows of teeth ... ... ... ... • • • • • • alba. 



b. Snout not abruptly narrowed; upper surface of disc more or less spinulose in 

 parts. 



a. Large buckler-like spines often present in mature females, mostly absent in 

 males; 36 to 44 rows of teeth; tail with i (males) or 3 to 5 (females) rows 

 of enlarged spines ... ... ... ... ■ • • • • • ■ ■ • rhtzacantnus. 



j3. No large buckler-like spines in either sex. 



* Width of disc f to * of total length of fish; eye + spiracle 2 to 2% in length of 

 snout, which is 5 j to 6 in width of disc. 



I 26 to 28 rows of teeth; tail with only one row of enlarged spines in both 

 sexes; no ocelli on pectoral fins ... ... ••• ••• ••• smithi. 



