74 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



tains little that is characteristic, and the typical example seems to be 

 lost. We have, however, no doubt that it was based on a young indi- 

 vidual of the large skate called by us, on page 252 and elsewhere in these 

 Proceedings (Vol. Ill), Baia cooperi. The presence of the single spine on 

 the median line of the back anteriorly, as described by Girard, is one of 

 the most constant diagnostic characters of the young of this species, and 

 we have never found less than three or four such species in the corres- 

 l)onding position in the species called by us hitherto Eaia hinoculata. 



The Baia cooperi of Girard is based on a drawing by Dr. Cooper, and 

 the great size is the only diagnostic character assigned to it. As three 

 of the species reach a length of but 30 inches and the other a length of 

 6 feet, we have no difficulty iu making an identification with the species 

 described by us as Baia cooperi on page 252. Baia hinoculata of Girard 

 is thus probably the young of Baia cooperi of Girard. The large skate 

 should therefore be called Baia hinoculata, while the species described fey 

 us OD page 134 of the Proceedings as Baia hinoculata may receive the new 

 name of Baia inornata. 



Specimens of this species obtained at Santa Barbara represent a 

 marked variety, distiuguished by the small number and feebleness of 

 the spines an<l prickles, and in the ^^resence (in the females) of a band 

 of small prickles on the posterior part of the pectorals, parallel with the 

 edge. Suprocular spines almost obsolete. Two or three minute prickles 

 often present on the median line at the shoulders. A series of minute 

 stellate prickles beginning near the middle of the back, becoming hooked 

 spines on the tail. Lateral caudal spines scarcely developed, even in the 

 female. A band of small prickles on the iiosterior part of the back. 

 Males almost smooth. Size and color as in B. inornata. This form may 

 be known as var. inermis. 



United States National Museum, January 13, 1881. 



OIV TaE FI!>(U.i^IORTAI.ITV IIV TKE GVI^V OF ITIJBXICO. 



By ERNEST INOERSOEE. 



Sir: Pursuant to your verbal suggestion, I made it an object, during 

 my recent cruise down the western coast of Florida in the service of the 

 Superintendent of the Census, to inquire into the so called ^'poisoned 

 water-' which was supposed to have caused the remarkable mortality 

 among the sea-fishes that occurred in the autumn of 1880. I am sorry 

 to be able to give so meagre an account of the matter as follows; but 

 must beg excuses on the plea that I was too late to see any actual de- 

 struction, since the cause had wholly disappeared previous to my arrival 

 there, and also from the fact that I was unable to carry out my intention 

 of going to Key West, where most of the fishermen live who suffered in- 

 jury, and who could jjerhafjs have furnished additional information. 



