RAIA.J PISCES (CARTILAG.) PLAGIOSTOMI. 517 



as in the female. Moreover, they both give the R. Rubus as a distinct 

 species. Further observation is necessary in order to clear up this diffi- 

 culty. According to Pennant, the Thorn-Back preys on all sorts of flat 

 fish, as well as on Herrings and Sand-eels, of which it is said to be parti- 

 cularly fond; also on crabs. Produces its young in July and August, 

 which, until a certain age, are called, in common with the young of the 

 R. Batis, by the name of Maids. It is taken in large quantities for the 

 table. 



206. R. radiata, Don. (Starry Ray.) Teeth sharp 

 in both sexes: skin smooth; but thickly studded with 

 strong conical spines, intermixed with more numerous 

 smaller ones, radiating at the base ; one or three rows 

 on the tail. 



R. radiata, Don. Brit. Fish. vol. V. pi. 114. Flem. Brit. An. 

 p. 170. 



DIMENS. The following were those of the specimen described below. 

 Entire length eighteen inches nine lines : length of the head (measured 

 from the end of the snout to the spiracles) three inches two lines; of the 

 tail (measured from the vent) nine inches three lines : breadth, across 

 the pectorals, thirteen inches three lines. 



DESCRIPT. (Form.) General form similar to that of the last species : 

 snout short and obtuse, projecting very little beyond the pectorals : teeth 

 much larger than in the R. maculata, not so closely compacted, and 

 terminating above in a sharper and longer point ; from those of the R. 

 clavata, they differ in being rather smaller at the base, more widely 

 separate, and strongly pointed in both sexes : ground of the back smooth, 

 but thickly studoVed with strong sharp hooked spines, arising from a 

 conical furrowed base, intermixed with smaller ones, which spread out 

 at bottom in a radiating or stellate manner; of the larger spines a row 

 occupies the mesial ridge of the tail, and is continued along the back 

 to behind the eyes ; there are also two on each side of the centre of the 

 back, one before the eyes, and two at the posterior angles of the same ; 

 the smaller radiating spines form a parallel and more numerous series 

 on each side of the central row of larger ones, commencing at the middle 

 of the back, and extending nearly to the extremity of the tail ; (in Dono- 

 van's specimen these lateral rows appear to have been wanting ;) they 

 are also irregularly but thickly scattered over the wings of the pectorals, 

 becoming smaller and more numerous towards the margins : the other 

 characters resemble those of the last species. (Colours.) Upper surface 

 brown, with a slight reddish tinge ; beneath, white. 



Since publishing my Catalogue of British Vertebrata, I have seen a 

 pair of this species, male and female, in the collection of Mr. Yarrell, 

 who received them from the Frith of Forth. The same gentleman pos- 

 sesses a third specimen sent him by Dr. Johnston of Berwick. I am 

 inclined, now, to regard it as a well-marked species, quite distinct from 

 any of the foregoing ones, but perhaps not specifically different from the 

 R. Rubus of Blainville*, of which it is considered as a variety by that 

 author. Both sexes are equally thorny on their upper surface, the under 

 surface being, in both, smooth. The male specimen above alluded to 

 had the ventral appendages half the length of the tail. Donovan's 

 example of this species was caught on the north coast of Britain. 



* Faun. Franc, p. 21. 



