EHINOBATID^B. 41 



commences opposite the centre of the base of the ventral. The 

 second dorsal is half as far from the base of the caudal as from the 

 posterior extremity of the first dorsal; and is smaller than the 

 latter fin, but of the same shape. Scales minute, of irregular 

 shapes and sizes, keeled; a number of tubercles, directed back- 

 wards, exist in rows in some parts of the body ; a supraorbital 

 row extends from the anterior margin of each orbit round its upper 

 edge to above the spiracle ; a second passes from a central point 

 between the termination of the last two and proceeds along the 

 back to the base of the first dorsal, the tubercles on it being much 

 further apart than hi the other lines ; from slightly behind the 

 commencement of the dorsal line of spines is a short diverging 

 row on either side, also a row on the shoulder, and two or three 

 spines on the scapula. The lateral keel commences a little above 

 the termination of the ventrals. Colour the immature are dull 

 grey above, whitish, sometimes tinged with red, beneath. A dark 

 or black band on the upper eyelid and a dark spot beneath on 

 either side of the snout ; also there is usually, but not invariably, 

 a black spot at the root of the pectoral, which may have several 

 small white spots round it. The body and sometimes the pectoral 

 fins are spotted with whitish or light grey. Iris golden. The 

 adult is of a dull grey above and lighter on the abdomen. 



ffab. Bed Sea and east coast of Africa, seas of India to the 

 Malay Archipelago, and beyond. The flesh is considered nourishing 

 whether eaten salted or fresh, and oil from the liver is much 

 esteemed. The young are captured along the Coromandel coast 

 in large numbers about the month of March. This fish grows 

 to at least six feet in length. 



43. (2.) Rhynchobatns ancylostonms. 



Rhina ancylostomus, Bl. Schn. Syst. Ich. p. 352, t. Ixxii. 

 Rhynchobatus ancylostomus, Day, Fish. India, p. 730, pi. cxciii, fig. 3 



(see synon.). 

 Mun ulava, " mud skate," Tarn. ; Nalla dindi, or PottHa sora, Tel. 



Snout very broad with a semicircular outline. A longitudinal 

 row of tubercles on each side of the head above the eyes continued 

 on to the shoulders, and a median one along the back, with two 

 short lateral rows between the last and the pectoral fin ; a few 

 tubercles round the front edge of the eye and below the spiracle. 

 Teeth ^; twenty-two vertical rows in the centre of the upper 

 and twenty-seven in the centre of the lower jaw. The dental 

 surface deeply undulated, with one large median and a smaller 

 lateral elevation in the lower jaw and with corresponding emar- 

 ginations in the upper. The teeth are largest on <the summit 

 of each elevation; all are obtusely rounded, with several longi- 

 tudinal ridges across each. Colour dull brown, lighter beneath ; 

 the body and sometimes the fins covered with whitish spots ; 

 occasionally some tortuous black lines. 



Hob. Prom the east coast of Africa through the seas of India 

 to the Malay Archipelago and China. One 6 ft. 10 in. long was 

 sent by Dr. Jerdon to the British Museum ; in it were found the 



