Notice of the Ukpam. 
67 
and form, probably, the claspers of the male fish ; the two fins 
are connected together by a frenum behind the anal openings. 
The rounded posterior edge of the ventral fin measures about 
2J inches across, and the root of the fin 1 inch across. 
There is a general rough, granular appearance over the upper 
surface of the body, which is now of a muddy yellowish brown 
colour, and this granular appearance diminishes towards the 
sides as you approach the pectoral fins, which are smooth 
above. The granules are larger and more distinct, and become 
circular in shape, as you approach the mesial line of the fish, 
which from the posterior half of the body gives indications 
of larger circular plates or shields, these become still larger as 
you approach the base of the tail, and cease in the mesial line 
a little beyond it, within an inch or so from the insertion of 
the spine. Beyond this, again, a smaller double range of oval- 
shaped obliquely-placed bony scales or granules can be traced 
for a considerable distance along the sides of the slender tail ; 
an indication, apparently, that as the fish increases in size 
with age, there will be a greatly increased development of 
these bony spines and shields on the back and tail. About 
3|- inches from the insertion of the tail you find a firm bony 
moveable spine inserted into the middle line of its upper 
surface, corresponding to the barbed spine of the sting Rays ; 
it is about an inch in length, and is fVths of an inch in 
breadth, but has no barbs on its sides, being smooth and 
edged with membrane, and terminates in a rounded and 
flattened button-like extremity, rather more than ^ of an 
inch in length. The sword in this instance is covered by a 
scabbard ; what change age may make on it I am of course 
unable at present to say. Mr Hewan has promised to send 
the tails and jaws of adult individuals of both sexes for exami- 
nation ; so that I hope to be able at another opportunity to 
enter more fully into a description of its adult characters. 
The under surface of the fish is lighter in colour and 
smooth ; the slightly arched mouth is about 2J inches from 
the extremity of the snout, and measures to^^^s of an inch in 
width; its jaws are covered with alternate rows of small 
rounded or oval-shaped teeth with transverse markings, closely 
set together. Behind the teeth of the upper jaw there is a 
deep fringed velum, and a shallower smooth-edged velum lies 
