1909.] 



N. AnnandalE : Report on the Batoidei. 



Only one genus can be recognized, namely Pristis, with five species, four of which 

 occur in the Bay. 



Key to the Indian Species of Pristis. 



I. Teeth absent from the base of the saw for a considerable distance. 



{a) From 25 to 35 teeth on each side of the saw. Anterior dorsal fin arising 

 behind the root of the pelvic fins . . . . P. cuspidatus. 



II. Teeth present on the base of the saw. 



(a) Not more than 22 teeth on each side of the saw. Anterior dorsal fin in 

 : advance of the pelvic fins for the greater part of its length. 



P. perottetii. 



(b) Twenty-five or more teeth on each side of the saw. Anterior dorsal fin 



above the pelvic fins . . . . . . P. pectinatus. 



(c) Twenty-six or more teeth on each side of the saw. Anterior end of anterior 



dorsal fin distinctly behind the anterior end of the root of the pelvic 

 fins .. .. .. .. .. P.zysron. 



Pristis cuspidatus , Latham. 

 This species is easily distinguished from all others by the following characters : — 



(a) The rostral teeth commence at a considerable distance from the base of 

 the rostrum ; 



(/;) Both edges of the rostral teeth are sharp, the hinder edge having a dis- 

 tinct barb in young individuals ; 



(c) The lower lobe of the caudal fin is pointed and quite distinct. 



(d) The teeth in the mouth are smaller and relatively broader than in the 



other species. 



The broad groove which runs outwards and upwards from the outer edge of the 

 nostril is also noteworthy, as well as the small size of the cutaneous fold on the an- 

 terior edge of the nostril. 



Young specimens of this species have been caught by the ' ' Golden Crown ' ' on al- 

 most every voyage, but large ones are somewhat rare. 



The following measurements are those of the largest specimen ( 9 ) as yet taken , 

 and of a large male. The former was captured at the beginning of August off Orissa , 

 the latter in January off the mouth of the Ganges. The head, .saw and fins of the 

 female and the saw of the male are preserved in the Indian Museum. 



9 d 



Extreme length (including saw) 

 Length of saw 

 Breadth of saw at base 



,, ,, ,, at tip 

 Distance of first rostral tooth from base of saw 

 Breadth across pectoral fin 

 Width of mouth . . . . . . ■ < 



