260 
PLAGIOSTOMI. 
ray of this species to-day, on the beach at Annalong. The “ claspers ” 
were about a foot in length. 
The Shagreen Ray, Raia chagrinea, Mont., 
Was obtained by the Ordnance Survey collectors at Portrush, in May, 
1839, as appears by the specimen so labelled in their collection. 
Captain Portlock remarked in reference to this species, that it “ seems 
to take the place of R. oxyrhynchus on the northern coast.” 
The Homelyn Ray, or Spotted Ray, Raia maculata, Mont., 
Aj>pears to be found around the coast. 
In the North and East, where I have had the opportunity of seeing rays, 
this sp. appears to be about equally common with R. clavata, these two 
being by far the most common species. 
The R. maculata is described by Yarrell and Jenyns to be “smooth,” but 
of the several specimens taken at various times in Belfast Bay and on 
the neighbouring coasts, and examined in a fresh state, only one was 
smooth ; the skin of this individual when preserved and dry was slightly 
roughened, both above and below, with minute tubercles. 
There can be little doubt that the “ Raia leads vulgata with two black 
spots, one on each side the back,” noticed in Smith’s W aterford, was this 
species. I have seen specimens from Youghal, in Dr. R. Ball’s collection, 
and have seen it brought in by the fishermen at Howth, Co. Dublin. — See 
Ord. Surv. Mem. p. 15. 
“ Raia miraletus, Linn,” Yarr. P 
— rubus, Don. ? 
See young one in ovum case preserved in spirits, obtained quite fresh on 
Holywood Warren, Belfast Bay, Nov. 30, 1851, by Mr. J. R. Garrett. 
Raia maculata. Ray received from Dr. Drummond, July 7, 1838, and 
bought by him of a Holywood fisherman, taken with lugworm. 
It belongs to the first section of the genus Raia. “ Snout sharp, more 
or less elongated,” Jenyns, p. 510. It differs from the leading characters 
of Raia Ratis in having the lateral margins of the snout parallel , the 
points of the spine on the lateral rows of the tail directed backwards , and 
the colour being beneath altogether white except the margins of the P. 
fins, which are dusky. 
From the oxyrhynchus it differs in the snout being very moderately 
elongated, and in having the skin of the upper surface granulated instead 
of being “ smooth.” 
From the R. marginata , in the last-named character. 
From the R. chagrinea, in having a row of large spines on the ridge of 
the tail. 
From the R. maculata, in being smooth. 
From R. clavata, in wanting the “ tubercles ” entirely. 
In form it agrees better with Yarrell’s “ Sharp-nosed Ray,” p. 424, than 
any other, and has large spines just where they appear in the figure, and 
similarly disposed ; the snout however is not just so long as here figured ; 
the specimen is a male. 
Its total length is 30 inches, greatest breadth 18 inches, length of body 
to commencement of vent 13 inches, thence to point of caudal fin 17 
inches. . 
Teeth, a very few only can be called sharp-pointed, the others being 
