On a Ray ivithout a Nci7ne. 



419 



an equilateral triangle of large spines, all turned backwards 

 at an angle of about 50°, except the two large spines at the 

 extremities of the base, which are nearly upright. From the 

 base of this triangle down the back to the tail there are three 

 rows of large spines, one on the central line, and one on each 

 side of it ; and outside of these are a considerable number 

 of somewhat smaller spines irregularly placed. From the 

 commencement of the tail to half-way to the tip there are 

 three rows- of spines on each side, the intermediate row being 

 the smallest, and the only one continued to the extremity of 

 the tail. The central line is armed with spines throughout 

 its whole length. The under part of the tail is smooth, but 

 at the margins thickly studded with a row of small spines. 

 The whole of the large spines, with the exception before 

 mentioned, are directed backwards, at an angle of about 50°. 

 The spines on the central line are not so fully developed as 

 those on each side of it, but still perfectly distinct. All the 

 large spines are very much more radiated at the base than 

 the smaller ones covering the back. The pectorals are very 

 abruptly rounded off at the posterior extremity. The colour 

 is light yellowish-brown, with two large chocolate-coloured 

 spots, irregular in outline, containing a few (from three to 

 five) cream-coloured markings. These large spots divide 

 the breadth of the fish into three equal parts, a little way 

 below the base of the triangle of spines. 



This is therefore not a variety of any known species, but 

 a new one. Professor M'Coy records his specimen as far 

 back as the year 1841 ; and I beg to propose that this species 

 be named Baia M l Goyii. This specimen was got in the 

 month of May last year, in the well-known fishing-ground 

 off Pittenweem called the Fluke Hole. 



The Secretary stated that as several communications 

 still remained to be brought before the Society, he begged 

 to move that an extraordinary meeting be held on Wednes- 

 day, the 7th of May. The motion was unanimously agreed 

 to. 



