KHINOBATID^E. 43 



Snout elongate, its length being from 4| to 5| in the total, and 

 as a rule being longest in the immature ; the \vidth of the inter- 

 orbital space varies from 2| to 3| in the length of the snout. 

 Anterior nasal valve with no lateral dilatation. The distance 

 between the external angles of the nostrils equals about two thirds 

 or three fifths in the preoral portion of the snout ; the two rostral 

 ridges narrow and closely approximating in their anterior half or 

 two thirds : mouth transverse. Teeth ^, dental plate with a 



t>2* A 



central and lateral elevation in the lower, with corresponding 

 depressions in the upper jaw : 20 to 22 vertical rows in the upper 

 and 13 in the lower jaw opposite the symphysis. Scales tubercles 

 on the back, and a row of compressed spines along its middle, 

 which become obsolete with age ; some spines on the edge of the 

 orbit and on the shoulder. In the young a row likewise along 

 either side of the upper edge of rostral ridge. Colour reddish 

 grey superiorly, becoming dull white beneath. 



Hob. Seas of India to the Malay Archipelago and Australia. 

 This ray attains at least seven feet in length. 



45. (2.) Ehinobatus halavi. 



Raja halavi, Forsk. Descr. Anim. p. 19. 



Rhinobatus halavi, Day, Fish. India, p. 731, pi. cxciii, fig. 4 (see 



synon.). 

 Pare, if young Padangan, Tarn. 



Snout rather obtuse, its length contained 7 to 8 times in the 

 total. The width of the interorbital space 2| to 2% times in the 

 length of the snout. Anterior nasal valve not dilated laterally. 

 The distance between the outer angles of the nostrils four fifths 

 the preoral length of the snout ; the length of the nostrils about 

 equals the distance their bases are asunder. Eostral ridges diver- 

 gent posteriorly, becoming confluent in their anterior half or two 

 thirds. Teeth transversely oval, with a slight ridge along the 

 centre, the width of the plate above the symphysis of both jaws 

 being one eighth of its length ; -^ rows of teeth, and fifteen 

 vertical rows in the median line in either jaw. The dental plate 

 almost straight. Fins the two dorsals of about the same size, 

 their distance asunder equalling the interspace between the second 

 dorsal and the base of the caudal, the latter being 7| to 8^ in 

 the total length. Scales somewhat trefoil-shaped and flattened, 

 being rather largest along the median line of the back, which, 

 however, is not spined, although a few tubercles almost form 

 spines. Colour reddish grey superiorly, becoming white beneath ; 

 fins and snout with a reddish tinge. Large examples have occasion- 

 ally black blotches over them. 



Hab. From the Mediterranean, west coast of Africa and Cape 

 of (rood Hope : also from the Red Sea through the seas of India 

 to the Malay Archipelago and China. This species attains at least 

 aix feet in length. 



