THE HOMELYN EAY. 261 



truncated at the summits, as if from use. Distance fi-om extremity of 

 lower jaw to anterior point of nostril If inch, thence in a continuous 

 straight line to margin of snout If inch, from the same point to the 



margin thus, ^ / __\ ^ 2 inches. 



' k^ \ 



Skin rough entirely over the upper surface, with very minute spines ; 

 a number of large spines, mostly directed backwards, near the margin of 

 the body below the eyes ; also a series of large spines forming a patch of 

 elongate form within the extreme margins of the P. fins. 



Spines, 3 rows of large spines on the tail, all directed backwards, the 

 middle row not extending along the back nor further than the vent ; at 

 the distance of 5 inches from last large caudal spine, one appears on the 

 back and another an inch in advance of it (not another large spine than 

 those already described on any part of the body) ; the intermediate space 

 has never been occupied by them. The under surface, from about on a 

 line with the lower jaw forwards, rough, with minute spines, as is also the 

 entire under surface of the tail, remainder smooth. 



Two finlets before the caudal fin, which is very slightly developed, | 

 of an inch. 



Colour, entire upper parts dull brown, closely blotched and spotted 

 over with black, which gives it the general appearance of being blackish ; 

 under surface entirely white, except at the margin of the pectorals, which 

 are dusky. 



In general outline the fish is as like the Homelyn Ray of Yarrell, p. 

 429, as any other of his species ; its pectorals are, however, more pointed 

 at their extreme ends. The male organs are more developed than in any 

 species figured by Yarrell.* 



July 16, 1838. Maia maculata caught at Holywood, 33 inches long; 

 the fish above described is, I suppose, a variety of this species ; taken with 

 lug-worm. 



July 30, 1838. A specimen taken with lug-worm at Holywood is 2 feet 

 long ; on vipper side greyish white, closely marked with dusky spots, and 

 sparings with black spots, just as if a shower of ink had fallen on it. It is 

 a male, the teeth sharp, no spines on under side, on upper side the usual 

 series of spines towards the point of the pectorals, and also many spines 

 near the margin of the body in a line with the eyes ; like two last specimens, 

 it is rough over the entire upper surface of the body from tail to head, 

 but smooth in the contrary direction. 



A2)ril 13, 1839. Saia maculata. I received from Holywood a male 

 living specimen of this fish, the first Irish one I have seen that agreed 

 with the important character attributed by Yarrell and Jenyus to the 

 species, of being smooth above. This specimen was taken with the lug- 

 worm (this is now in general use ; in winter only, the Holywood fisher- 

 men state, will fish take the " buckie ") ; in its stomach were a shrimp, 

 a Portumis, and a GunneUus rulyaris. The specimen was 30 inches long 

 and 20i broad ; the ground colour above was a pale yellowish-grey, marked 



* Auff. 26, 1840, I received a similar specimen taken by Mr. Getty at Rock- 

 port ; it is smoother on the upper surface than any other 1 have seen, except the 

 above; it is marked over with jet black markings, and, hke the above, is the 

 only ray I recollect having seen so coloured, as if a heavy shower of jet had 

 fallen on it ; it is preserved for Muscmn. The stomach was tilled with the sea- 

 mouse, Aphrodita aculeata, of which there were several specimens. 



