404 Survey of Fishing- Grounds, West Coast of Ireland, 1890—1891. 



Small asperities confined to the pre-pectoral region of the disk in young 

 examples. Present on the inter-orbital space, rostrum, distal part of anterior 

 half of pectoral fins and tail in adults of both sexes. In adult females the whole 

 of the upper surface rough, except the gill region, central part and posterior 

 margin of pectoral fins, and pelvic fins. 



The under surface perfectly smooth in young examples, and in adult males, 

 except a few spinules on the snout and along anterior margin. In adult females 

 a few asperities may be present on the coracoid, about the gill openings, and 

 along the anterior border of the abdominal cavity. The under surface of the tail 

 also with scattered asperities. 



There is never a ventral border of closely-set asperities along the anterior margins, nor 

 along the edges of the tail. 



Teeth obtuse in females and immature males ; sharply-pointed in adult males, 

 of moderate size, arranged in about 20 to 70 rows in the upper jaw. 



In specimens of about 4 inches across the disk about 23 rows. 

 „ „ „ 9-14 „ „ „ 45-50 „ 



Colours. — The upper surface usually a yellowish brown or cold sepia, rarely a 

 greyish chocolate or dark grey. Dark brown spots more or less plentifully 

 distributed, always absent from the posterior margin of the wing, and usually 

 from its immediate neighbourhood. In rare cases altogether absent. In half- 

 grown and young adult examples frequently a distinct and rather large pale ocellus 

 on the wing, with or without a dark "pupil" spot, and swrounded by a ring of 

 spots, and more or less continuous with each other. Smaller and less distinct pale 

 areas, not surrounded by definite rings of spots, may be present elsewhere on 

 the wings. Under-surface white. 



Distribution. — The Homelyn was found during the Survey all along the west 

 coast. The greatest depth recorded is 48 fathoms, in the Kenmare River, but 

 the majority were taken in less than 30 fathoms. It appears to be generally 

 distributed on all the coasts of Great Britain, and occurs also on the coast of 

 France. It has not been found in Scandinavian waters. Moreau describes his 

 R. asterias as not only common on all the coasts of France, but as sufiiciently 

 common in the Mediterranean. 



