* 
544 Storer on the 
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 eyes 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 the eyes also, and 
the upper part of the entire length of the tail, spine- 
less. The remainder of the upper surface of the body, 
save the margin of the pectorals and ventrals, is cov- 
ered with sharp recurved spines, of which the largest 
are seen on the sides of the tail. The anterior por- 
tion of the pectorals, reddish at the edges; posterior 
portion bordered with white ; rays very numerous, 
and easily distinguished. Ventrals quite large, con- 
taining about twenty-four rays; those next to the 
pectorals very strong, with their extremities lobed ; 
these fins resemble very much the posterior wings 
of some of the “Phalene.” 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 upon 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 stom- 
* 
* i 
ms E 
$ 
