440 FISHES OF THE FIRTH OF FORTH. 



the lateral rows on the tail are very much crooked ; those on the 

 central ridge being nearly straight. The under surface of the body 

 is perfectly smooth, without spines of any description. 



This beautiful little Skate, which appears the smallest 

 and best marked species of the genus, was first figured and 

 described by Mr Donovan, from a small specimen taken 

 somewhere off the north coast. It has since been found by 

 Dr Johnston in Berwick Bay ; and by myself, several times 

 in the Firth of Forth ; but in no other localities has it yet 

 been discovered. It inhabits deep water, and is taken with 

 tlie hook in rocky places in the months of March, April, 

 and May ; but after June until the following spring, it is 

 seldom met with. It is considered as good food, not in- 

 ferior to that of the maiden skate. From two to three spe- 

 cimens can be obtained nearly every week in the Edinburgh 

 market, during the months of April and May. 



The only skate likely to be confounded with the Starry 

 Ray, is a young specimen of thornback ; but it is at all 

 times distinguished, by having three rows of spines run- 

 ning from the tail up the centre of the back ; whereas, in 

 the thornback, there is seldom more than one row of spines 

 along the centre of the back, the lateral rows on the tail 

 scarcely ever extending higher up than the anal fins. 



Genus TRYGON. — Tail slender, armed with a sharp, 

 serrated spine ; but without fins. 



Trygon pastinaca.* — The Sting Ray. 



Specific Character. — Back smooth. (Plate XLIII.) 

 Description. — From a female" specimen nineteen inches in lengthy 

 tail included^ and eleven inches in breadth. The outline more ap- 

 proaching to orbicular than in the genus Kaia ; the central portion of 



* Trygon pastinaca, Yarr., Cuv. Raia pastinaca, Penn., Don., Jen. 

 Common Trygon, Fire Flaire, 



