THE FISHES OF NEW JERSEY. 73 



Virginia coast in the spring of 1901. They were harpooned 

 in about 3 feet of water. The male had mounted the female from 

 above in a somewhat diagonal manner, evidently grasping the 

 upper part of the left pectoral fin anteriorly in his teeth. The 

 tail was directed towards the right side with both claspers for- 

 ward and well inserted. Doubtless the same obtains on our 

 shores. Easily known by its pointed snout, median series of 

 thorns on back beginning close behind eyes, and numerous series 

 of teeth in the jaws which are always 40 or more. According 

 to Mr. J. A. G. Rehn it is the most abundant skate at Atlantic 

 City. 



Drs. Jordan and Evermann place Raia chantenay Le Sueur 

 as identical with this species, a precedent which I am unable to 

 accept. That it is identical with the following species. Raja 

 IcEvis Mitchill, I do not doubt, for the following reasons. The 

 median series of thorns on the upper surface of the body are only 

 on the upper surface of the tail, not beginning on the back close 

 behind the eyes, and according to Le Sueur's figure the teeth are 

 in but 30 series at most. Further the same writers state that 

 the type locality is Delaware Bay, but Ee Sueur does not give 

 any definite locality only stating that his description is from an 

 example contained in the Philadelphia Museum. Le Sueur's 

 account of Raia eglantiera seems, however, to agree with this 

 species. Dr. Abbott's references to Raia americana= Raja 

 radiata (Donovan) does not leave it clear that that species 

 has ever been taken in the state. 



Raja eglanteria Bean, Bull. U. S. F. Com., VH, 1887, p. 151. 

 —Moore, Bull. U. S. F. Com., XH, 1892, p. 358.— Smith, Bull. 

 U. S. F. Com., Xn, 1892, p. 368. 



Raia diaphanes Abbott, Geol. N. J., 1868, p. 829. 



Raja laevis Mitchill, 

 Plate 4. 



Skate. Barn-Door Skate. 



Body flat, subrhomboidal, about ^ broader than long. Head 

 but little elevated. Rostrum projecting, acute, of moderate size, 



