OF THE FISHES OF MADEIRA. 195 
‘La Leiche ou Liche, Brouss. (Sq. Americanus, Gm.),”’ Cuv. R. An. ii. 392. Rarior. 
Zygena malleus (Val.), Cuv.—*‘ Cornuda,” R. An. ii.393. Yarr. ii. 406, vignette. 
Squalus Zygena, Linn. i. 399. No.5.  Rearior. 
Fam. Rape. 
Torpedo marmorata, Risso.—‘‘ Dromideira,” i.e. Dormideira, Risso, iii. 143. No. 28. f.9. 
Rarior. 
Torpedo hebetans, nob.—‘‘ Tromentin.” 
T. subtus alba, nigro marginata: supra nigrescens, unicolor, punctulis minimis raris, 
ad marginem anteriorem crebrioribus adspersa: spiraculis majusculis, simplicibus : 
cauda corporis fere longitudine, via breviore, apice truncaté. 
Rariss. 
I should scarcely have ventured to consider this distinct from T. Galvani, 
Risso, had not Cuvier fortunately supplied a most essential mark of difference, 
by describing that species “A sept dentelures charnues autour de ses évents.” 
This character belongs indeed to my T. marmorata, but not to the present spe- 
cies ; which may, however, also possibly be only a plain immaculate variety of 
** La Torpille & taches ceillées,” Cuv. ii. 397, T. narke, Risso, iii. 142. 
Raia Maderensis, nob.—‘‘ Raia” or “‘ Arraia.” 
R. corpore exacte rhombiformi': supra scabro, griseo-fusco, maculis pallidis, cinereis, 
ocellatis, in figuras fasciasve flecuosas, transversales, indistinctas dispositis guttato : 
rostro brevi haud producto, marginibusque pectoralium anterioribus hispido-scabris ; 
dorso subinermi, medio tantum fere bi-aculeato: caude@ aculeis triseriatis ; late- 
ralibus subobsoletis ; omnibus basi simplicibus, recurvis. 
Haud rara. 
The upper or dorsal surface of this fish, which is the common Skate of Ma- 
dera, is rough like a file, especially towards the anterior edges of the pectorals 
and snout; but otherwise unarmed, except generally two pretty conspicuous 
prickles about the middle of the back, one close behind the other, and a single 
prickle at the anterior, and another at the posterior canthus of each eye. All these, 
as well as those on the tail, which extend no further forward than its root, are 
recurved, and without the prominent tubercular base, resembling the head of a 
nail, so remarkable in the Thornback, R. clavata, L., to which this species comes 
in shape the nearest. The teeth are quite flat and pointless, like those of the 
“Caneja,” Mustelus levis, Flem. No. 106, supra. The eye is furnished with a 
most curious and beautiful palmato-radiated nyctitating membrane, of a green- 
ish or brassy gold-colour, like their lids. I have seen only female specimens ; 
none exceeding 20 inches long by 14 broad. 
* Lateribus scilicet omnibus equalibus. 
