418 COLONEL MONTAGU ON NEW AND RARJl 



the sexes of the Thoi'nback actually differ in this* 

 particular, and that the male has probably been 

 described as a different species, but under what 

 title, it is difficult to ascertain, unless it be Raja 

 Fullonica of some authors. It will be recollected, 

 that the large hooked spines on the wings or pec- 

 toral fins of this genus, have not been generally 

 considered as peculiar to the masculine gender, 

 and, therefore, are given as a specific character of 

 the fullonica, and in fact, give origin to its 

 name, from a supposed similarity to the instru- 

 ment used by fullers for combing the wool. It 

 will also be observed, that the Thornback has 

 never been described to possess those reclined 

 hooks. The species described by Pennant for 

 the Fuller's Ray, which he says is known at Scar- 

 borough by the name of White Haus or Gullet, 

 appears to be very distinct, and there is little 

 doubt, is the same as the fishermen on this coast 

 call Land Ray or French Ray The Rough 

 Ray, R. rubus, is probably only another variety 

 of the male Thornback ; for, as to the tubercular 

 spines with which both sexes of that species are 

 occasionally furnished on the lower surface, as 

 well as on the upper, there is no dependence on 

 them, since some specimens have none on either \ 

 others very sparingly above, and none beneath ; 



* Rubus, Donovan, Fishes, 1. tab. 20. 



