452 Scientific Proceedings, Royal Dublin Society. 



BLACK-MOUTHED DOGFISH — Pristiurus melanostomus. 

 Four mature examples, about 30 inelies, were caught on conger-bait, 3 at 154 

 fathoms, 28 miles off Achill Head, and 1 at 250 fathoms 45 miles off Black Eock. An 

 immature example, 8 inches, was trawled at 144 fathoms, 30 miles off Achill Head. 

 Mr. Green took one at 150 fathoms in the "Flying Fox," and it has been taken off 

 Norway at 250 fathoms. Thus, this species, which is a common littoral form in the 

 Mediterranean, appears to be more or less restricted to considerable depths in northern 



waters. 



Centrophortis squmnosus. 



This species is represented by a mature male, 43 inches in length, which was taken 

 on conger bait at 260 fathoms, 45 miles off Black Eock, on the 12th May. It was 

 previously known from the coast of Portugal and elsewhere. All the members of the 

 genus appear to be confined to deep water, and none have previously been taken in 

 British waters. 



SKATES and RAYS. 



Speaking generally, my observations lead me to the same coaclusion as Fulton, that 

 " immature skates and rays are found almost equally in-shore and off-shore," so far 

 as concerns those species which inhabit both zones. 



GREY SKATE — Raia bails. 

 Mature examples were found at all depths from 5 to 80 fathoms, and at 154 

 fathoms. Very small skate, 5 at 7 to 10 inches, were got at 20 fathoms. Larger 

 immature examples were co-extensive in vertical range with the adults, and occurred 

 also at 500 fathoms. 



SHARP-NOSED SKATE — Eaia oxyrliynchus. 

 Mature examples only were obtained, at 25, 31 to 38, 74 to 80, and 375 to 500 

 athoms. This species appears to be always confined to rather deep water. It has 

 hitherto been overlooked by Irish naturalists. 



FLAPPER SKATE — Raia macrorhynchus. 

 Two mature examples were taken at night in 4 to 5 fathoms in Blacksod Bay. 



SHAG-REEN RAY — Raia fitllonica. 

 Mature examples were taken between 29 and 80 and at 154 fathoms. A specimen, 

 25 inches long, was at 14 to 16 fathoms in Killybegs Harbour. Two large, but 

 immature, specimens were at 36 to 38 fathoms. No very small specimens were taken. 



THORNBACK— ^«i« clavata. 



Mature and tolerably large immature thombacks were at every depth from 4 to 80 

 fathoms. Very small examples, 4 to 6 inches in length, some vrith the yolk-sac still 

 visible, occurred in Ballynakill Harbour, J to 2 fathoms ; Blacksod Bay, 3 to 9 

 fathoms ; Kilkieran and Casheen Bays, 5 and 7 fathoms ; Downies Bay, 13 fathoms ; 

 and Lough Swilly, 5 to 7 fathoms. Specimens, 6 to 8 inches, were in the Kenmare 



