Fishes. 1977 



poral orifices closer to the eyes, semilunar and not fringed. The 

 snout is more prominent than is there represented. From a careful 

 examination, I should think the species under consideration will prove 

 to be the Torpedo nobiliana or new British Torpedo of Yarrell. A 

 specimen is preserved in the museum of the Natural History Society 

 of Penzance. 



It is very remarkable that so many specimens should have been taken 

 in the course of one summer within half a mile of each other. It 

 will be found, I think, not so rare a British fish as is commonly 

 supposed. 



Skate, R. batis. Common. When it grows to a large size it is not 

 used as food, being too coarse, but is consigned to the crabbers for 

 the baiting their crab-pots. The whole of the rays are generally 

 thought to be fish of slow movements, or that they move only by sud- 

 den springs, and yet I have frequently seen mackerel and other active 

 species in their stomachs, with every appearance of having been swal- 

 lowed alive. 



Long-nosed Skate, R. chagrined. Not uncommon. This species, 

 like several others of the Raiidae, possesses secondary sexual characters, 

 which alter with age. In the male the teeth, which in youth are flat, 

 like those of the female, become sharp and conical, especially towards 

 the median line. 



Sharp-nosed Ray, R. oxyrhynchus. Burton Skate. Common. 

 Most, if not all the rays, rise to the surface of the water and bask in 

 the sun during the summer and autumn. 



Spotted Ray, R. maculata. Sandy Ray. Common. The large 

 spot is frequently deficient, and occasionally there are many of 

 them. 



Sandy Ray, R. radula. This is quite distinct from R. maculata. 

 The form alone being sufficient for specific separation. Rarely used 

 as food. It keeps in deep water over a sandy soil. 



Painted Ray, R. microcellata. Two specimens taken in Mount's 

 Bay. 



Thornback, R. clavata. Common. 



Fire Flaire, Trigon pastinacea. A single specimen examined, from 

 Whitsand Bay. Sennen. 



Eagle Ray, Myliobatis aquila. I trawled up the head of a species 

 of Myliobatis, off Limorna, but too much injured to determine the 

 species. Since then an egg-case has been taken at Fowey with the 

 young or embryo in it, so that no doubt now remains of our having a 



