THE HOMELYN RAY. 
261 
truncated at the summits, as if from use. Distance from extremity of 
lower jaw to anterior point of nostril If inch, thence in a continuous 
straight line to margin of snout If inch, from the same point to the 
Shin rough entirely over the upper surface, with very minute spines ; 
a number of large spines, mostly directed backwards, near the margin of 
the body below the eyes ; also a series of large spines forming a patch of 
elongate form within the extreme margins of the P. fins. 
Spines , 3 rows of large spines on the tail, all directed backwards, the 
middle row not extending along the back nor further than the vent ; at 
the distance of 5 inches from last large caudal spine, one appears on the 
back and another an inch in advance of it (not another large spine than 
those already described on any part of the body) ; the intermediate space 
has never been occupied by them. The under surface, from about on a 
line with the lower jaw forwards, rough, with minute spines, as is also the 
entire under surface of the tail, remainder smooth. 
Two Jinlets before the caudal fin, which is very slightly developed, f 
of an inch. 
Colour, entire upper parts dull brown, closely blotched and spotted 
over with black, which gives it the general appearance of being blackish ; 
under surface entirely white, except at the margin of the pectorals, which 
are dusky. 
In general outline the fish is as like the Homelyn Ray of Yarrell; p. 
429, as any other of his species ; its pectorals are, however, more pointed 
at their extreme ends. The male organs are more developed than in any 
species figured by Yarrell.* 
July 16, 1838. Raid maculata caught at Holywood, 33 inches long ; 
the fish above described is, I suppose, a variety of this species ; taken with 
lug-worm. 
July 30, 1838. A specimen taken with lug-worm at Holywood is 2 feet 
long ; on upper side greyish white, closely marked with dusky spots, and 
sparings with black spots, just as if a shower of ink had fallen on it. It is 
a male, the teeth sharp, no spines on under side, on upper side the usual 
series of spines towards the point of the pectorals, and also many spines 
near the margin of the body in a line with the eyes ; like two last specimens, 
it is rough over the entire upper surface of the body from tail to head, 
but smooth in the contrary direction. 
April 13, 1839. Raia maculata. I received from Holywood a male 
living specimen of this fish, the first Irish one I have seen that agreed 
with the important character attributed by Yarrell and Jenyns to the 
species, of being smooth above. This specimen was taken with the lug- 
worm (this is now in general use ; in winter only, the Holywood fisher- 
men state, will fish take the “ buckie ”) ; in its stomach were a shrimp, 
a Portunus, and a Gunnellus vulgaris. The specimen was 30 inches long 
and 201 broad ; the ground colour above was a pale yellowish-grey, marked 
* Aug. 26, 1840, I received a similar specimen taken by Mr. Getty at Rock- 
port ; it is smoother on the upper surface than any other I have seen, except the 
above ; it is marked over with jet black markings, and, like the above, is the 
only ray I recollect having seen so coloured, as if a heavy shower of jet had 
fallen on it ; it is preserved for Museum. The stomach was filled with the sea- 
mouse, Aphrodita aculeata, of which there were several specimens. 
margin thus, 
2 inches. 
