20. KAIID^ RAIA. 
43 
anteriorly, but growing larger backward. Females (as in other species) 
with lateral series of spines on the tail. Upper surface mostly covered 
with minute prickles, which are largest on the median line of the back, 
on the tail, and the front of the i)ectorals. Disk smooth below, except 
anteriorly. Teeth about |^f, the jaws rather strongly arched. Disk 
one-fifth broader than long, its width twice the length of the tail. 
Snout 3^ in length of disk, 2f iuterorbital Avidth. Color brown, with a 
dark ring at base of pectorals. Upper surface everywhere with round 
pale spots. The largest of our skates, reaching a length of over six feet. 
The egg-case nearly a foot long. Abundant on the Pacific coast from 
Monterey to Sitka. 
(Girard, U. S. Pac. R. R. Exp. Fish. 372; Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus- 
1880, 135.) 
55. R. rliina. Jor. & Gilb. 
Disk broad, the outer pectoral angle sharp, farther forward than in 
B. cooperi. Anterior outline of pectoral somewhat undulated and ex- 
ceedingly concave, so that the snout is very long, acuminate, and tajier- 
ing to the extreme point. Interorbital space quite narrow, little con- 
cave. Supraocular ridges slightly elevated. Eyes large, much longer 
than spiracles. Spines on body comparatively strong; five to seven 
above the eyes ; two or three near the middle of the back ; none on 
the median line of the back until opposite the posterior end of ventrals, 
where a series of rather sharp spines begins. Prickles on body above 
rather large, sharp, strongly stellate; those on the snout largest and 
most stellate. Skin above everywhere prickly in the female ; the 
prickles small and sparse on the base and edges of the pectorals and on 
ventrals ; larger on the median region of the disk. Male with bases of 
fins smooth, and the prickles generally fewer and smaller; anterior 
edge of pectoral with spines. Under side of disk almost everywhere 
prickly in the females, smooth posteriorly in the males. Mouth some- 
what arched. Teeth Color light brown, nearly plain, with a dark 
ring at base of pectorals, which grows obscure with age. Disk one- 
tenth broader than long, its breadth twice the length of the tail. Snout 
nearly one-third the length of the disk, times the interorbital width. 
L. 2^ feet. Monterey to Puget’s Sound ; not rare. 
(Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mns. 1880, — .) 
56. R. biiiociilata Girard. — Common Skate (of California). 
Disk broad, its widest part well forward; outer angle of pectoral 
blunt ; posterior edge convex ; anterior margin of iiectoral undulated, not 
