RAIID^E. 349 



snout : a row along the anterior and inner edges of the orbit, and forming a patch 

 in the hind part of the interorbital space. In the centre of the back, above one 

 diameter of the eyes posterior to the orbits, is an irregularly-shaped triangular 

 patch of large spines being the anterior termination of those along the back, 

 where there are two rows of large spines increasing at the root of the tail to four 

 rows, and soon to six, which become very large on the tail. The male has the 

 usual patch on the pectoral fin. Colours — of a brownish yellow on the upper 

 surface, and a short distance behind the head on either side a black blotch, with 

 one or more broad yellow lines in its centre, and generally surrounded by yellow 

 spots ; also many scattered brown spots may be present or absent on the disk. 

 This spot may be absent. Under surface white, usually with a dark margin. 



Names. — Sandy-ray and cuckoo-ray. Le Rate circulaire, French. 



Habits. — Appears to prefer sheltered bays, and though common in the west of 

 England is rarely taken during winter. Couch remarvks that the earliest captures 

 are in the spring, and at about 12 leagues from land. Mr. Dunn considers that 

 the cuckoo-ray and sandy- ray are distinct species, observing that he never saw 

 one of the former above 3 lb. weight, whereas the latter attains to 10 lb. or 15 lb. 



As food. — Not much esteemed, while it will not take salt. 



Breeding. — Couch remarks that it deposits its eggs in December, but yet in 

 July he saw one with eggs, some of which seemed almost ready to be shed. 



Habitat. — From the coasts of western Europe and round the British Isles to 

 the Mediterranean. Is said to be rare off France. 



Broadhaven on the north coast of Scotland, and from four or five other localities 

 in Banffshire (Peach) : Aberdeen very common (Sim) : not uncommon at St. 

 Andrew's (Mcintosh) : Yorkshire from three localities, mentioned as abundant in 

 Bridlington Bay, frequently met with at Scarborough and once at Whitby 

 (Yorkshire Vertebrata) : Plymouth (Spence) : Cornwall in deep water, especially 

 if the soil is sandy. 



In Ireland has been obtained on the N.E. and E. coasts : Dublin Bay 

 (Thompson). 



The specimen figured is 20£ inches long : Couch records one over 3 feet in 

 length. 



