292 Dr. Mitchill on a new species of Raja. 
- Tail thick and stout, like that of the skate ; and, measured 
from the base to the ventrals, nine inches long. Toward the 
extremity it supports two fins, which are faintly radiated. 
The foremost of these is jagged behind with several slits or 
notches: the hindmost has no such divisions. There isa 
trace of a third fin, near the very end of the tail, in the form 
of a neat film. 
Skin slimy and scaleless. It is beset with prickles in spots 
er patches. There is a patch in front of each eye, reaching 
along the inner orbit, and likewise occupying the space be- 
tween the eyes. ‘Iwo lines of spines proceed, one from 
each ocular patch, to the tip of the snout, where they join, in 
the form of the letter V inverted. The cheeks, or lateral 
pouches, are covered with prickles, so as to bear some re- 
semblance to whiskers. 
Behind the eyes, and on the back part of the head, there 
is a patch of prickles, in the shape of an equilateral triangle, 
with one of its sides backwards, and an angle forward. 
On each wing, or flap, is a patch of catspaw prickles, of 
the retractile quality, mentioned in the definition. From the 
moustaches, the skin of the flaps, along the edge, and for a 
small distance beyond, is roughened by a set of more 
minute prickles. 
each side of the back is a row of stiff and short 
Spines, proceeding towards the tail; and smaller ones near 
them, with a rather irregular distribution. On the tail they 
are much more numerous, distinct, and strong; distinguish- 
able in two main rows, or lines, with a smooth scaleless and 
spineless stripe between them, reaching to the dorsals. The 
lower side of the tail, and the whole belly, are quite smooth. 
There is a trifling roughness on a patch of each caudal ap- 
pendage. 
Eyes half covered and elegantly curtained. Behind them 
open and ample orifices, or ears. Nostrils distinct, and con- 
nected with the mouth, through fissures, to the upper lip. 
Teeth, in both jaws, associated, compact, and sharp-pointed. 
: he lower or belly side of this fish exhibits a bending, or 
inflexion of the margin, all the way round to the ventral fins, 
of such a kind that when, even after death, it lies upon its 
back, there is a rising, or rim, like that of a cup or basin, 
capable of preventing the escape of water. 
A delineation from nature, by the hand of my- friend, 
Samuel] Akerly, M. D. already well known for his researches 
