192 FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



situated at equal distances from each other. Body beneath, 

 white ; in front of, and at the sides of the mouth, and at the 

 anterior portion of the pectoral fins, are seen a great number of 

 minute black points, which are mucous pores. All the space 

 directly in front of the eyes, save the extremity of the snout, 

 naked and reddish, appearing as if abraded. Skin between 

 the e^^es destitute of spines, as well as a space on each side of 

 the spines, commencing in front of the eyes, of two or more 

 inches in width, and continued to the extremity of the ventral 

 fin ; space between th'e eyes also, and the upper part of the 

 entire length of the tail, spineless. The remainder of the 

 upper surface of the body, save the margin of the pectorals 

 and ventrals. is covered with sharp recurved spines, of which 

 the largest are seen on the sides of the tail. The anterior 

 portion of the pectorals, reddish at the edges ; posterior portion 

 bordered with white ; rays very numerous, and easily distin- 

 guished. Ventrals quite large, containing about twenty-four 

 rays ; those next to the pectorals very strong, with their ex- 

 tremities lobed ; these fins resemble very much the posterior 

 wings of some of the ^'Phalense." The tail, measured from 

 the anus, is fifteen inches in length ; on each side of it, are 

 three rows of strong spines ; these spines commence high up 

 on the back, but are at first quite small, and gradually increase 

 in size ; at the lower or under edge of the tail, is a fleshy bor- 

 der or fringe. Two small dorsal fins are situated upon the 

 tail, near its extremity ; the anterior, is nearly as long again as 

 high ; it is united at its base posteriorly to the smaller fin. At 

 the origin of each of these fins, is a fleshy tubercle. Anus 

 large. 



In another specimen of this ray, I found the stomach filled 

 with a species of the genus " Talitrus^' Beach fleas. 



The sexes are readily distinguishable by the ventral fins. 

 From the ventral fins in the male, extends a cylindrical appen- 

 dage about half the length of the tail, measuring from the anal 

 orifice, which is called the clasper ; at its posterior, outer por- 

 tion, it is fissured, and contains on its lower division a large 

 falciform bony hook, and on the upper a small projecting tooth, 



