trawl vessels. On March 2, 1958, an egg case of this species taken 

 four miles SE of Watch Hill, was obtained from the trawler Old 

 Mystic. It contained an embryo 80 mm. (TL) with the yolk sac still 

 attached. 



(26) Raja scuta Garman 1885 

 Smooth skate, smooth-tailed skate 



Specimens: 



According to Bigelow and Schroeder (1953 a, 1953 b) this species 

 was captured at 50 to 250 fathoms off southern New England and 

 occurs along the upper part of the continental slope in the vicinity 

 of southern Xew England. 



(27) Raja radio ta Donovan 1807 

 Thorny skate, starry skate 



Specimens: 



This is not common in inshore waters of southern New England 

 due to the fact that it is found exclusively at temperatures of 50° F. 

 or less. It occurs on the edge of the continental shelf off southern 

 New England and a specimen was taken 25 miles off the eastern 

 end of Long Island at a depth of 32 fathoms (Bigelow and Schroeder 

 1953 a). 



Family Dasyatidae 

 Genus Dasyatis 



(28) Dasyatis centroura (Mitchill) 1815 

 Stingray, stingaree, ray 



Specimens: (PLATE 11) 



This species of stingray is common in the traps at Point Judith 

 during June, July and August. In 1955 they were very abundant 

 and five or six specimens were observed in one haul of the trap off 

 the Point Judith breakwater. These rays ranged in size from four to 

 eight feet (TL). Descriptions and photographs of these specimens 

 can be found in Gordon (1955 i). 



Economic Importance: 



When taken in the traps, the tail is almost immediately severed 

 as it possesses a knifelike poisonous blade near the base capable of 



18 



