86 FISHES OF NEW ZEALAND. 



MYLIOBATID.E. 



Disc very broad in consequence of the gi-eat development of the 

 pectoral fins, which, however, leave the sides of the head free, and 

 reappear at the extremity of the snout as a pair of detached (cephalic) 

 fins. 



Myliobatis. 



Nasal valves coalescent into a quadi-angular flap ; teeth hexagonal, 

 large, flat, tessellated, those in the middle raiich broader than long ; 

 several narrower series on each side ; tail very long and thin, with a 

 dorsal fin near its root ; generally a serrated spine behind the fin. 



Temperate and tropical seas. 



138. MYLIOBATIS AQUILA. L. 



"Whip Ray. 

 M. nieuhcyfii, Cat. Col. Mus. M. aquila, Giinth., VIII., 489. 



Body entirely smooth ; the skinny prolongation of the snout is obtuse, 

 and but moderately produced ; median teeth of the upper jaw from four 

 to six times as broad as long ; the insertion of the dorsal fin is behind or 

 opposite the extremity of the ventral fins ; orbit with scai'cely a trace 

 of a projection above. 



Coloration uniform (Giinth.) 



New Zealand (Banks) ; Mediterranean, Atlantic, and Australian seaa. 



I have seen no sjiecimens. 



SUB-CLASS V.-CYCLOSTOMATA. 



Skeleton cartilaginous, without ribs or real jaws ; skull not separate 

 from the vertebral column ; six or seven gills on each side ; mouth 

 surrounded by a circular or subcircular lip, suctorial. 



PETROMYZONTID.E. 



Body eel-shaped, naked ; mouth with teeth ; nasal aperture in the 

 middle of the upper side of the head. 



Temperate regions of both liemispheres. 



