396 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
No true spines on orbital rim; the latter in common witk the whole interorbital 
area covered with coarse prickles. Median row of spines fully developed and strong, 
as are also the two scapular spines. The prickles are arranged in quite regular series, 
those laterally following the rays, those mesially parallel with dorsal row of spines. 
This species seems to be confined to Alaskan waters. Among Pacific species it is 
most nearly related to R. stellulata and Rk. trachura, agreeing with both in the wide 
rostral angle, the rather uniform coloration, and the absence of the definitely placed 
orbital spines characteristic of other species. 
4. Raja stellulata Jordan & Gilbert. 
Obtained in Unimak Pass, Bristol Bay, and along the northern shores of Unalaska 
Island, in depths of 42 to 70 fathoms (stations 3217, 3255, 3258, 3310, and 3312). This 
species seems to have the most extensive range of any of our Pacific skates from 
shallow water. We find no difference between these specimens and others from the 
Santa Barbara Channel, California. 
The species does not apparently reach a very largesize. A male specimen, 600 mm. 
in total length, is mature, with claspers 150 mm. long, and the pectoral hooks fully 
developed. The latter are in 22 series, with 5 hooks in the widest series. The young 
show a very similar armature to the adults. At no stage is there a trace of orbital 
spines, the row of orbital prickles being in the young scarcely differentiated from the 
interorbital band. Inayoung male, 200 mm. long, the seriesof median spines on back 
and tail is strongly developed, and the spines are uniform in size, the two anterior ones 
separated by an interspace from the third. The two scapular spines are also strong, 
In older specimens the spines on middle of back diminish in size, the anterior three 
remaining strong. In some old specimens these reduced spines have entirely disap- 
peared, the median series then appearing to begin over the front of base of ventrals. 
The color is much asin &. parmifera, being brownish, with scattered ill-defined dusky 
spots. In the young we find at base of pectoral fins a broken dark ring a little larger 
than pupil. This does not inclose a light spot, is inconspicuous, and soon disappears. 
The light spots at base of posterior third of pectorals, so conspicuous in the young 
of R. parmifera, and visible even in older specimens, aré not present in R. stellulata. 
The prickles in the latter are smaller and more numerous than in &. parmifera, but 
the young resemble each other much more strongly than do the adults of the two 
species. In neither are prickles developed on the under surface, if we except a small 
patch near tip of snout, sometimes present in FR. parmifera. 
5. Raja abyssicola sp. nov. (Plate 20.) 
A single large male specimen taken near Queen Charlotte Island, station 3542, 
depth 1,588 fathoms, the greatest depth recorded for any species of skate- 
As in other deep-sea species of Raja, both the upper and under parts are uniform 
brown in color, the upper surface obscurely marked anteriorly with very small but 
definitely margined spots of darker brown. Both upper and lower surfaces are 
covered with long close-set slender bristle-like spines, which are flexible and give a 
velvety texture to the skin. The extreme anterior margin and a wide strip along 
posterior margin of disk, the ocular region, the greater part of the upper surface of 
ventrals and of the basal two-thirds of the under side of the tail, alone naked. No 
large spines or prickles on orbital rim. A band of enlarged prickles on each side of 
tail. An uninterrupted series of 24 largespines with very broad bases extends along 
median line of tail to opposite front of ventrals. After an interruption, it reappears 
in a series of 3 spines on middle of back. A single spine between dorsal fins. Pec- 
toral hooks very weakly and irregularly developed. They are usually interradial in 
position, have at most 3 or 4 in a series, and develop irregularly, the spines being 
sometimes directed backwards instead of inwards. They are not arranged in definite 
lengthwise series. Some of them remain permanently in an undeveloped condition 
as elongate soft papill, and the gaps in the series indicate the total disappearance 
of others. 
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