368 NEW-YORK FAUNA, 
THE PRICKLY RAY. 
RalaA AMERICANA, 
PLATE LXVI. FIG. 215. (MALE.) 
Characteristics. Uniform brown, unspotted. Snout elongated. Pointed groups of prickles 
on the upper surface ; a vertebral series, and three series along the tail. 
Length one to two feet. 
Description. Body rhomboidal. Snout projecting, attenuated, obtuse. Pectoral fins rounded, 
subangular. A row of sharp spines on the superciliary ridge, and the interval between and 
anterior to the eyes covered with numerous star-like points. An elongated heart-shaped space 
extending from the eyes to the nose, glabrous. A central row of large spines, with lateral 
rows of smaller ones, extending to the snout, which is covered at the tip with other spines. 
The spines on the margin abreast of the eyes are broad at the base, with long, sharp and 
wavy tips; those on the pectorals longer, with narrower bases, and their points directed 
inwards towards the vertebral line. The whole upper surface of the pectoral is also covered 
with spines, which are most numerous towards the margins. The vertebral series of spines 
with broad bases, pointed, recurved, and occasionally fan-shaped. On the tail, which was 
much injured, there are three rows of spines; one dorsal, and one on each of the sides. 
Eyes oblong, prominent. ‘Temporal orifices moderately large, and placed a short distance 
behind the eyes. 
Two small dorsals near the tip of the tail. Ventrals widely emarginate. Beneath smooth, 
except on the snout and anterior margin of the pectoral fins, which are armed with minute 
prickles. ‘Teeth small, conical, curved, with somewhat enlarged bases. 
Color. Uniform pale brownish above ; whitish beneath. 
Length 20°0; breadth, 13°0. Length of the tail, 9°0. 
I have never seen but the single specimen described above, and that was found on the 
shore of Staten island, Richmond county. I supposed it to be the R. desmarestia of Le- 
sueur, but a revision of its characters satisfies me that it is distinct from his Florida species. 
Its teeth, and the disposition of its prickles, separates it from R. batis of Storer; to which, 
however, it is otherwise allied in shape. 
