1913] Some Beaufort, N. C, Fishes 159 



sequent to the writer's departure therefrom) two fine speci- 

 mens of Narcine hrasiliensis, variety corallina, a fish hitherto 

 unknown in our waters. Director H. D. Aller has already 

 called attention to this interesting find (1910), but it seems not 

 out of place here to make mention of this fact and to note cer- 

 tain details of the structure of this fish. 



When examined by the present writer, these specimens had 

 been in formalin in a copper tank for 11 months, but were in 

 perfect condition save that they had been dyed a beautiful green 

 by the copper salts. The male was 11 inches long over all, 

 5^^ inches to the end of the ventrals, and the greatest width of 

 the disk was 61/^ inches. The claspers were short, barely pro- 

 jecting beyond the ventrals, but the grooves for the transmis- 

 sion of the milt were quite plain. The female was 13^ inches 

 long, half of that distance being the length of the tail clear of 

 the ventrals. The greatest width was 7% inches, and the widths 

 (inside measurements) between spiracles and eyes were 15-16 

 of an inch and 1 7-16 inches respectively. In both, the tails 

 were fringed with side fins, like the bilge keels of a vessel, from 

 the middle of the anterior dorsal to well beyond the base of the 

 caudal. The spiracles were placed immediately behind the 

 eyes. The jaws were set on a short peduncle in the mouth and 

 were surrounded by a fossa. This indicates that they are 

 probably protrusible. Through the kindness of Director Aller, 

 both specimens were examined for reproductive organs. Un- 

 fortunately, however, these were either immature or so out of 

 season that nothing could be made out. HoAvever, the fish is 

 known to be viviparous. Concerning this attention is called to 

 Bean and Weed's interesting paper (1911). 



In July, 1910, Coles (1910) captured in the same locality 

 and preserved for the American Museum of ]S[atural History 

 11 specimens of these interesting animals, while at least a 

 dozen more were taken by the fishermen. These were all caught 

 within one week, and after that time none could be found. 

 Coles reports that they bury themselves up to the eyes in sand, 

 and that he saw barefoot fishermen knocked down by stepping 

 on them while wading about in the shallow water. 



