HOMELYN RAY. 431 



were not distinct species. Mr. Donovan had noticed two 

 similar eye-like spots on several small examples of tlie true 

 Skate (batis) ; and I possess young specimens of the Thorn- 

 back (clavata) with the same sort of ocellated lateral spots, 

 and have seen many others of the three most common spe- 

 cies. Mr. Donovan's remark accords so closely with my own 

 view, that I insert it here in his own words : — 



" Although we present this as the Rata miraletus of 

 Linnseus with perfect confidence, it is not without some 

 hesitation at least that we can offer it as a distinct species. 

 In every respect, except the ocellar spot on the wings, it per- 

 fectly agrees with the Homerling Ray, and may possibly 

 prove, on further examination of other specimens, to be only 

 a lusus, or remarkable variety of that fish.*''' 



The figure given at the head of this subject exhibits the 

 eye-like lateral spots, from the possession of which it has 

 been called miraletus and oculata : the smoothness of the 

 surface of the skin, and its numerous smaller spots, suffi- 

 ciently warrant the terms lavis and maculata. The words 

 oculata and lavis were combined by some of the older au- 

 thors, and probably referred to this species. 



The Homelyn and the Thornback, which are not very dis- 

 similar in shape, though otherwise perfectly distinct, are the 

 two species most common in the London market : a large 

 proportion of both are taken in the trawl-nets. 



The form is rhomboidal ; the diameter of the body about 

 one-fourth greater than the length : the nose short and blunt, 

 its projection beyond the outline of the pectorals but small : in 

 a young male specimen of twelve inches in breadth the se- 

 condary sexual characters begin to appear ; there are numer- 

 ous small spines about the nose, and some extending along 

 part of the anterior edge of the pectoral fins ; two or three 

 prominent spines before and behind each eye, with rough 



