CATALOGUE OF VERTEBRATES. 665 



" Not uncommoD. They are mostly taken in the spring, and 

 are occasionally eaten, but are not prized as an article of food." 



K. radiata, Donov. [americana, De K.) Starry Ray. Prickly Ray. 



Disk forms an obtuse angle at tip of snout ; about forty rows of 

 teeth ; besides spines as above, are strong spines with expanded 

 plate-like bases, one or two in front of eye, one between eye and 

 spiracle, a pair on shoulders and fourteen in a dorsal row ; teeth 

 hooked in male ; females larger and more spinous. 



" Rare. The writer has never met with a specimen, and De 

 Kay reports having seen but one, taken at Staten Island." — 

 [C. C. A.] 



R. eglanteria, Lac. Brier Ray, 



With acute snout; color brown, with bands, bars, blotches, 

 &c. ; with small, very sharp prickles and larger spines in vari- 

 ous regions; two rows on each side of tail. Length, 2 feet. 

 Not common. 



R. laevis, Mitch. Barndoor Skate. 



Angle at tip of snout much produced and shovel-like ; rows 

 of teeth nearly forty ; spines few and small, most spines on 

 female, as usual ; color variable, brownish, with paler spots. 

 Virginia northward. 



"Not uncommon. In 1860 a specimen was taken in the 

 Delaware River, above Philadelphia, and exposed in the Trenton 

 market for sale. It was captured in May, in a shad-net, and 

 lived five days out of water, and was afterward kept alive several 

 weeks in a tank made for it." 



Family TRIGONIDiE. 



Sting Rays. 



Disk broader than long ; pectorals confluent in front ; tail usually 

 whip-like, never bears two dorsals, and usually with a vertical fold 

 and a retrorsely-serrated spine (or several), capable of inflicting a 

 serious wound ; sexes alike ; ovoviviparous. 



