196 REV. R. T. LOWE’S SYNOPSIS 
Trygon Pastinaca, Cuv.—‘* Ratao,” R. An. ii. 399. 
Raia Pastinaca, Linn. i. 396, No. 7. 
The Sting Ray, Yarr. ii. 442. Rarior. 
Myliobatis Aquila, Cuv.—‘‘ Dormideiro,” R. An. ii. 401. 
Raia Aquila, Linn. i. 396. No. 6. 
The Eagle Ray, Yarr.ii.445. Rarior. 
The foregoing list has no pretensions for consideration as a full and perfect catalogue 
of the Maderan fishes. Having scarcely begun to feel much interest in ichthyology till 
a period when continual engagement in more serious duties precluded all regular or 
close attention to the subject, I have been obliged to rely altogether for the capture or 
collection of the species on the common fishermen, whose indolence a bribe will scarcely 
stimulate, and whose carelessness is only to be matched by their propensity to imposi- 
tion and deceit. Thus many of the smaller and rarer kinds no doubt remain to be dis- 
covered by any one provided with the proper nets or apparatus, and commanding 
leisure, time, and personal industry for their collection. 
But allowing for much imperfection from these various causes, sufficient data are, 
perhaps, here afforded for a tolerably correct approximation to the general character of 
Maderan ichthyology ; for it is not probable that future discoveries will do more than 
slightly affect the coordinate value of several amongst the secondary groups (e. g. Tri- 
glide, Gobide, Labride, Clupeide, Pleuronectide, Murende, Cyclopteride, &c.) ; raising 
these, perhaps, to a somewhat higher value in proportion to the rest, but not counter- 
balancing the general preponderance of others (e. g. Scombride, Sparide, &c.), or al- 
tering the more obvious and striking features of the whole. To exhibit these results, 
therefore, at once in aclear and convenient form, I have composed the following Table, 
relying solely on the admirable work of Mr. Yarrell for the British species ; and for the 
Mediterranean principally upon Risso’s Histoire Naturelle, &c., de ’ Europe Meridionale, 
corrected, as far as to the middle of the Gobide, by the Histoire Naturelle des Poissons 
of MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes, and by the second edition of the Regne Animal of 
Cuvier for the remainder. 
