234 BULLETIN OF THE 



from the circular in the outline of the disk, the portion in front of the head 

 being slightly produced. The posterior outlines of caudal and dorsals are more 

 convex than in the variety corallina, and less so than in the Rio Janeiro 

 specimens. 



Uniform leaden or olive browTi, with the markings outlined by a series of 

 small round spots. This is probably what was considered by Midler & Henle 

 and Dumeril the first variety of the species. 



Narcine corallina. 



Var. nov. N. brasiliensis. 



Two adult males belonging to this species which were taken at Key West 

 difi'er in a marked degree from those secured at Rio Janeiro. 



Ground color orange or reddish; a dark brown band across the head in front 

 of the eyes, interrupted on the forehead ; a large triangular space of the light 

 color on the snout in front of the dark band. The other dark markings be- 

 hind the frontal band are reduced in size and indicated only by the margins, 

 which are incomplete, or merely series of small round spots. All the dark 

 color on the body is much faded, the band upon the head alone being very dis- 

 tinct. Posterior borders of caudal and dorsals truncate. 



The truncation of the fins and the colors are the striking characters of this 

 variety. Were it not for the excessive amount of individual variation in 

 tpecies of thtv genus I should have little hesitation in classing these specimens 

 as representatives of a distinct species. 



Raja Ackleyi, sp. nov. 



Disk including the ventrals rhombic, longer than wide, anterior margins 

 sinuous, posterior outline convex ; tail moderate, depressed, with a narrow cuta- 

 neous fold on each side, tapering. The angle formed by the snout is less than 

 right. Rostral cartilage rather slender. Mouth moderate, much curved, width 

 one and two thirds times in distance from end of snout. Teeth small, cusps 

 sharp, in forty-two rows on the upper jaw (male adult). Eyes moderately large, 

 interorbital space narrow, deeply concave, width three times in the distance from 

 the end of the snout to the eye. Spiracles smaller than the eye. Ventrals 

 medium, portion in front of the notch rather small. Dorsals small, separated 

 by a space with tubercles. A vertebral series of small tubercles on back and 

 tail ; two lateral series on each side of the tail ; a series on each orbital ridge ; 

 a group of several above the end of the rostral cartilage ; a group on each pec- 

 toral opposite eye and spiracle ; a group of retractile spines opposite the shoul- 

 der near the outer angle of the pectoral. Excepting the above, in this specimen, 

 the disk is smooth on the upjior surface. The ventral surflice is smooth, with 

 the exception of the portion anterior to the mouth which is covered with fine 

 sharp scales or shagreen. 



