60 ClION DBOPTEEYGII. BATOIDEI. 



the latter fin being about three times as long as broad. Tail three 

 or four times as long as the body, triangular in shape as far as the 

 spine, which is serrated and situated just behind the termination 



Fig. 24. Aetobatis narinari. 



of the dorsal fin ; beyond the spine the tail is compressed ; in this, 

 as well as in some other species, there is occasionally a second 

 spine on the tail a little behind the root of the first. Body 

 smooth. Colour greyish olive, sometimes greenish olive or 

 leaden grey above, and usually covered from beyond the occiput 

 with numerous dirty-white or bluish spots edged with black ; 

 abdominal surface white; tail black. Iris golden green, teeth 

 greenish yellow. In the immature the back is of a deep leaden 

 colour, and the spots hardlv apparent. 



Hob. Red Sea, seas and estuaries of India to the Malay Archi- 

 pelago, and beyond. Eaten by the natives. Is captured to 

 upwards of 6 feet in width. 



3. Genus RHINOPTERA, Kuhl. 

 Syn. Mylorina and Micromesus, Gill. 

 Head distinct from the disk, but with a pair of rayed appendages 



Fig. 25. Teeth of Rhiiwptcrajavanica. 

 on the lower edge of the snout. Nasal valves confluent, forming 



