151 
margin. The eye is 1-4 in the interorbital space. Spiracle close be- 
hind the eye, the posterior edge of the valve pilose. Mouth moderate, 
but slightly undulated ; internasal space less than the width of the 
mouth. Teeth small, without cusps. Nasal flap triangular, but so 
deeply notched in the middle that two triangles are formed, each 
slightly fimbriated at the apex. Gill-slits moderate, convergent 
posteriorly. 
The skin above 1s everywhere covered with closely set spines ; thorns 
are developed in the area between the eyes and spiracles, the posterior 
ones being largest. A transverse patch of large thorns exists on the 
humeral region, whence a median row runs forward for a short dis- 
tance. The tail carries a row of strong conical thorns in the mid- 
line, and several irregular series of smaller ones on each side; these 
extend forward into the pelvic region. No spine between dorsal 
and caudal. The whole of the body and tail below smooth and with- 
out pores. 
The ventrals are quite distinct from the pectorals, and extend 
posterior to them; they are deeply notched behind, each being sepa- 
rately attached to the lower side of the tail. The distance of the 
vent from the hinder edge of the ventrals is one-fourth that between 
this point and the mouth. The tail is long, its length posterior to the 
disc being exactly half the total length; there is a well-developed 
fold of skin along each side, and the caudal is relatively large, its 
length above being twice the interorbital space. The dorsal lies near 
the caudal, but is removed from it by a space nearly equal to its own 
base. 
Colour.—The colour above is uniform pale purplish-grey, and below 
deep yellow. 
Length of female described, 640 mm. 
The only specimen taken was trawled in the Bay of Plenty, at a 
depth of 66-94 fathoms. 
Family DASYBATID. 
DasyBatus, Walbaum, 1792. 
Dasybatus brevicaudatus Hutton. 
STING-RAY. 
Plate XXII. 
Trygon thalassia Hutton, Cat. Fish. N.Z., 1872, p. 85 (not Columna). 
Trygon brevicaudata Hutton, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (4), xvi, 1875, 
p- 317; and Trans. N.Z. Inst., viii, 1876, p. 216. 
Dasybatis brevicaudatus Hutton, Index Faunz N.Z., 1904, p. 53. 
Stations 85, 93, 94. 
An example preserved for future study was unfortunately lost 
overboard during heavy weather; I therefore had to fall back upon 
