THE FISHES OF THE IRISH SEA. 67 
Rata cLavata, Linn.—Thornback Ray. 
(Day’s British Fishes, vol. II., p. 343, Pl. CLXXI.) 
(Fish. Mus., Zool. Dep., Univ. Coll., Liverpool.) Zocal name, ‘‘ Ray.” 
This is ‘‘the Ray” of our local fishermen. It is found all round the coasts of Europe 
and into the Mediterranean, and is abundant in our district. It is caught both by trawls and 
lines all round the Irish sea at all times of the year. 
Raia macuLatTa, Mont.—Spotted Ray. 
(Day’s British Fishes, vol. II., p. 345, Pl. CLXXII.) 
(Fish. Mus., Zool. Dep., Univ. Coll., Liverpool.) 
This species ranges from our coasts southwards to the Mediterranean, Byerley records 
it from the entrance to the Dee estuary, and we have found it off the banks round the mouth 
of the Mersey. We trawled it off the Liverpool Bar on May 2oth, 1go1. It is not uncom- 
monly taken on long lines off Port Erin. White records it from Menai Straits. Mr. E. W. L. 
Holt informs us that this species is generally confused with R. blanda which he and Mr. 
Calderwood described in 1895*. He thinks it probable that both species occur in our district, 
but we have not yet distinguished Raza blanda. 
Rata RADIATA, Don.—Starry Ray. 
(Day’s British Fishes, vol. II., p. 347, Pl. CLXXIII.) 
This is essentially a northern species, extending from Iceland to the English Channel, or 
rarely to the coasts of France. 
In our district it is caught occasionally by the trawl on hard ground at all times of the 
year, on the ‘‘ off-shore” grounds. Menai Straits (White). 
RalA crrRcuLARIs, Couch.—Cuckoo Ray. 
(Day’s British Fishes, vol. II., p. 348, Pl. CLXXIV.) 
(Fish. Mus., Zool. Dep., Univ. Coll., Liverpool.) 
This species ranges over the shores of Western Europe and into the Mediterranean, 
but is rare in many parts. 
It is recorded from Dublin Bay and other parts of the East Coast of Ireland ; Menai 
Straits (White), and we have found it on the Lancashire Coast, but it is not common. 
(?) Rata mrrALETUS, Couch—Sandy Ray. 
(Couch, Fish. Brit. Isles, vol. I., p. 112, Pl. XX VII.) 
Mr. E. W. L. Holt writes to us as follows in regard to this and the last species :— 
‘*R. circularis (of Giinther and Day) includes two species. One has distinct alar ocelli. The 
other is almost uniform in colour, with some small white blotches. I have never got at the 
bottom of their synonymy, but if you call them 2. czrcularis, Couch, and R. miraletus, Couch, 
folk will know what you mean. Iam sure you have them both.” 
In regard to other species of Raza possibly present in our area, Mr. Holt adds :—‘“‘ It is 
quite likely that you also have R. fullonica and R. microcellata, the former in deep water to the 
north, the latter stowed away in some isolated bay: his habitat seems to have been blown up 
with a bomb-shell.” 
* See Trans. R, Dublin Soc., vol. V., p. 305. 
