jENGLISH FISHES. 



417 



but I noticed a Ray, not unfrequently taken with 

 the Thoinback, that was in every other respect 

 similar, except that the wings were generally not 

 so rough, and sometimes quite smooth about the 

 middle. A variety also of this fish, had an ob- 

 long dusky spot surrounded with white, in the 

 middle of each wing. The teeth of these fishes 

 were not above half the size of those of the 

 female Thornback, and, except a few of the outer 

 series on the lips, were sharp-pointed. For a long 

 time I was puzzled to discover, to what species of 

 Raia these belonged, till, after an examination of 

 a great number, I began to be as much surprised 

 at not finding a female amongst such a quantity of 

 these, as I was, at not finding a male amongst 

 those with blunt teeth. These circumstances na- 

 turally induced me to conclude, that the sexes of 

 clamta had not been accurately defined, and that 

 the leading character of blunt teeth might have 

 been drawn from the female only. The fisher- 

 men had not noticed the distinction of the teeth 

 in these fishes, and had considered all of them ta 

 be Thornbacks. After much attention to the sub- 

 ject, and after having offered a premium for a 

 male Thornback with blunt teeth, an intelligent 

 fisherman assured me, he had examined a vast 

 number since I pointed out the distinction of the 

 teeth, and that he could not find one instance of 

 a male with blunt teeth, nor a female with sharp 

 teeth. It may therefore be fairly inferred, that 



