THE FISHES OF NEW JERSEY. 71 



and angle forward. On each pectoral a patch of catspaw re- 

 tractile prickles. Along edges of nasal flaps minute prickles for a 

 short distance. Along each side of back a row of stiff short 

 spines proceeding towards tail, smaller ones near them with 

 rather irregular distribution. On tail more numerous distinct 

 and strong, and distinguishable in 2 main rows with a smooth 

 area between reaching to dorsals. Lower side of tail and whole 

 belly quite smooth. Each clasper with a slight rough patch. 

 Tail thick and stout, and 9 inches from base of ventrals. At its 

 tip 2 faintly radiated fins jagged behind with several slits or 

 notches, and posterior entire. Trace of a third fin near very end 

 of tail in form of a neat film. Pectorals rounded. Ventrals each 

 with 3 little protuberances backward. Claspers about 5 inches 

 long. Length 17 inches, width 9^^ inches. (Mitchill.) 



Mr. Wm. J. Fox obtained it at Sea Isle City, and it does not 

 seem' to have been noted otherwise since Mitchill' s original ac- 

 count, when it was taken at Barnegat and on the fishing banks 

 southeast of Sandy Hook. Mr. Fox reports that nearly 25 were 

 taken in late April of 1906. They varied but little in color. 

 It may occur even about Cape May as the reports of certain small 

 skates from there agree fairly well. 



Raja erinaceus Mitchill, Am. Journ. Sci. Arts, IX, 1825, p. 290, 

 PI. 6 (2 figs.).— Abbott, Geol. N. J., 1868, p. 829, from Mitchill. 



Raja ocellata (Mitchill). 



Plate 3. 

 Big Spotted Skate. 



This is distinguished from the preceding chiefly by its more 

 numerous teeth, and usually a large white ocellus on each pectoral. 



This species is included on the authority of Prof. Ulric Dahl- 

 gren who tells me of 2 examples taken in the traps during the 

 fall of 1904 at Asbury Park. These are the only examples 

 known from the New Jersey coast, and I am indebted to Prof. 

 Dahlgren for their determination. The species reaches a very 

 large size, nearly 3 feet. 



