160 



2— H. erinaceus. 



Summer Skats. 



Form rounded. Snout pointed. Head somewhat distinct 

 from body, with rounded cheeks, upon which are prickles; 

 eyes large, oblique. Surface smooth, with several groups of 

 prickles arranged in regular series. A triangular group of 

 prickles on the back; two rows each of about twenty erectile 

 ones, on the pectoral fins; a double dorsal series, extending 

 along the whole length of the tail, where they are stout and 

 stitf. Beneath smooth. Two triangular dorsal fins near ex- 

 tremity of tail. Pectorals broad and rounded; ventrals two- 

 lobed, deeply emarginated. Tail nine inches long, smooth 

 on all sides, except the double lines of spines described. Male 

 appendages cylindrical. Length 17 inches. Pale brown 

 above, with numerous dark brown spots; paler beneath. 



B. erinaceus, Mitch, in Sillim. Journ. 1825, IX, p. 290, 

 pi. 6, (copied by DeKay, New York Fauna, Fishes, p. 372, 

 pi. 78, fig. 246); Storer, Mem. Am. Acad. II, p. 511. 



Found on the ocean coast of Worcester county. 



3— R. lagvis. 



Smooth Skate, or Bani-Door Skate. 



Form rhomboidal. Small spines on the orbits, and an- 

 terior margins of pectoral fins; rest of body smooth. Three 

 rows of spines on tail. Snout blunted. Length of head to 

 entire length nearly one to four. In iliemale, the under sur- 

 iiace of the snout and exterior of the nostrils to the angle 

 of the jaws, roughened by innumerable minute tubercles. 

 3Iale of uniform light-brown color. Femo.le with blackish 

 ocelli. Length 2 to 5 feet. 



i?. Icevis, Mitch. Amer. Monthl. T^fag. 1818, p. 327; DeKay, 

 Xew York Fauna, Fishes, p. 370; Storer, Mem. Amer. Acad. 

 IX, 1867, p. 242, pi. 39, fig. 2. 



Boja hails, Storer, Eeport, p. 193. 



Not uncommon in the ocean on the coast of Worcester 

 county, but said to be scarce in the Chesapeake Bay. 



s. i. 



LXVI-PRISTIDE. 



PRISTIS, Latham. 



P. anliquorum. 



The Saw-Fish. 



As once distinguished by its very long, depressed muzzle, 

 in the form of a sword, armed on each side with strong, bony 



