THE "BOTTLE-NOSE RA.Y " AND ITS EGG-PURSE. 183 



is, in fact, beset by minute transverse crests. So far as I know this 

 beaded appearance is quite characteristic. At all events, in com- 

 bination with the peculiar character of the processes, it should ensure 

 the recognition of the purse. 



Mr. Allen has drawn my attention to Couch's description of a purse 

 attributed by that author to the Eagle-ray, Myliobatis aquila (British 

 Fishes, i., p. 137). A similar purse is mentioned by Day {Fish. Gt. 

 Brit., ii., p. 353) on the authority of Buckland ; but reference is also 

 made to Morcau's assertion of the viviparous condition of the Eagle-ray. 

 The descriptions given by the authors named leave no doubt as to the 

 identity of the purses, which are certainly those of the " Bottle-nose ray." 



