THE FISHES OF NEW JERSEY. 75 
Harbor and Cape May. It may be taken frequently, however, 
when young and confused with the former. It 1s easily recog- 
nized by the long snout, smooth back without median series of 
thorns beginning till tail, fewer teeth and as the largest of our 
skates, sometimes reaching a length of 5 feet. Dr. Abbott records 
an example taken in the Delaware, in 1860, where, however, it 
was only a straggler, as it never wanders much out of salt water. 
Raia levis Abbott, Geol. N. J., 1868, p. 829.—Bean, Bull. 
U.S. F. Com., XII, 1892, p. 358.—Smith, Bull. U. S. F. Com., 
XII, 1892, p. 368. 
Raia chantenay LeSueur, Journ. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., IV, 
1824, p. 106, Pl. 5, figs. 1-8. 
Family DASYBATID. 
The Sting Rays. 
Disk usually more or less broader than long. Mouth rather 
small. Teeth small, paved, usually more or less pointed or tuber- 
cular. Nostrils close together. Nasal valves forming a rect- 
angular flap joined to upper jaw by a narrow frenum. Skull not 
elevated, eyes and spiracles superior. Spiracles large, placed 
close behind eyes. Species ovoviviparous. Skin smooth, vari- 
ously prickly or spinous, roughest in adult. No differentiated 
spines on pectorals in males, sexes similar. Tail various, usually 
whip-like, sometimes short and stout, sometimes bearing a single 
dorsal or caudal fin, never 2 dorsals. Usually 1 or more 
vertical folds of skin on tail, rarely a lateral fold. Ventrals not 
emarginate. ‘* 
Found in most warm seas, some in fresh waters of South 
America. The large jagged spine on the muscular tail is capable 
of inflicting a severe and even dangerous wound. 
; Key to the genera. 
a. Tail stout, with rayed caudal fin. UROLOPHUS 
aa. Tail slender, without caudal fin, whip-like and longer than rounded 
disk. DASYBATUS 
