1110 
SCANDINAVIAN FISHES. 
of its geographical range, but its occurrence is rare 
even off the north coast of France. It penetrates into 
the Sound and, through the Belts, into the western- 
most part of the Baltic in the same manner as the 
After Collett. 
Fig. 317. Raja hyperborea, <y, 1 / 3 nat. size. 
Thornback, but is somewhat commoner there, though 
less numerous on the coast of Bohuslan than the latter. 
Equally extensive is its bathymetric range. In Scan- 
dinavian waters it generally lives at a less depth than 
the Thornback, but appears also to descend to far lower 
levels. Storm obtained a specimen from Trondhjem 
Fjord that had been taken in 250 fathoms of water, 
and the above-mentioned Norwegian Expedition secured 
their two young specimens from Spitzbergen at a depth 
of 459 fathoms. 
In its manner of life the Starry Ray seems else 
to resemble the preceding species; but it is smaller, 
and is therefore restricted to smaller prey, preferably 
small fishes, comparatively minute crustaceans (Amphi- 
pods), and worms. “Early in spring (in the month of 
March)”, says Kroyer, “it ascends towards the shal- 
lows; it appears to lead a secluded life during a great 
part of the summer; and at the approach of winter it 
returns to the depths on the completion of its spawn- 
ing operations.” Its egg-shells, he says, are about 61 
mm. long, exclusive of the prolongations at the four 
corners, and 39 mm. broad. The fry seem to remain 
not far from land during winter, for the small young 
specimens mentioned above, whose peculiarities were 
remarked by Fries, were caught at this time of year 
in Herring-seines. 
In Scandinavia the Starry Ray is of less im- 
portance than the Thornback, partly Giving to its smaller 
