Vol. 3] 8tar'ks-Morris.—31arine Fishes. 171 



eter of ball of eye 7% in snout in median line, and slightly 

 greater than length of spiracle. Interorbital space 4 in length of 

 snout; interspiracle space 3. Distance between inner angles of 

 mouth contained 2X:^ in distance from mouth to tip of snout : dis- 

 tance between nostrils contained 2% in same space. A line drawn 

 between outer angles of pectorals exactly bisects a median longi- 

 tudinal line reaching from tips of ventrals to a point midway 

 between tip of .snout and middle of eyes. Length of tail from 

 inner angle of ventrals is contained 3 times in entire length. Dis- 

 tance from front of anterior dorsal to tip of tail, contained 6% 

 times in distance from anterior dorsal to tip of snout. The stel- 

 lated area on snout extends to posterior edge of spiracles, and 

 behind each spiracle is a small patch; the stella? coarser ante- 

 riorly. A group of strong spines extending around front of eye 

 and back on supraorbital ridge to opposite posterior edge of spir- 

 acle. These are very irregular in size and position, and can not 

 be exactly counted, but there are at least 20 of them (from 5 to 7, 

 Jordan and Evermann, I, p. 72). A group of spines on median 

 line of back a short distance behind spiracles and in front of hu- 

 meral arch. A median line of strong spines on tail, beginning 

 opposite posterior edge of pectorals (not ventrals, as stated by 

 J. and E ) . Smaller spines scattered irregularly over the surface 

 of the tail,, and interspaced with still smaller ones. Edges of 

 pectorals with small spines ; larger and more close set along an- 

 terior edges. A wide stellated area on median line of back behind 

 humeral arch. Bases of pectorals and median part of back per- 

 fectly smooth. The ocellated spot of the young on the base of the 

 pectoral represented by a dusky diffused blotch. 



This species is found northward to Vancouver Island (Jordan 

 and Gilbert, 1881, p. 34). 



19. Raja inornata Jordan and Gilbert. 



COMMON SKATE. 



(Jordan and Evermann, 1896, I, p. 73.) 

 Recorded southward to Santa Barbara. Fishermen report a 

 skate frequently taken on the banks off Point Loma, having a 

 shorter snout than Raja rliina, possibly this species. It is known 

 north to San Francisco. 



