N. Annandai^r : Report on the Batoiäei. 
15 
iqoq-l 
into a fold which does not reach or barely reaches the lateral margin of the nostril. 
The back very flat ; the breadth across the widest part of the pectorals 2\ times 
in the total length. Pectoral fins broadly rounded ; tip of pelvic fins nearly 
reaching base of first dorsal, which is separated from second dorsal by more than 
twice its own length. Rostral ridges narrowly separated. Back minutely granular 
with a row of smooth, rounded tubercles extending down the centre from a 
short distance behind the eyes to the posterior dorsal fin ; a .semicircle of 
similar tubercles extending round the inner margin of each orbit, and a short 
interrupted row crossing the mid-dorsal line at right angles in the scapular region. 
Colour of young dark greyish brown with indistinct marblings of a darker shade and 
with numerous somewhat obscure, round, whitish spots ; edges of snout white in 
smaller specimens ; all the fins becoming pale at the edge ; ventral surface white. 
The larger specimens I have examined are darker than the smaller ones and have 
less white on the snout, which in some is of the same colour as the back. 
The mouth is straight ; the teeth are small and almost flat, the ridge across them 
being feebly developed. They are of the same size on all parts of the jaw. 
Several specimens of this species were obtained off the entrance to the Eastern 
Channel of the mouth of the river Hughli by the ‘ ‘ Golden Crown ’ ’ in February, 1909. 
The largest, a male with the claspers evidently immature and not reaching the tip of 
the pelvic fins, measured 42-9 cm. in length. Except as regards colour, these speci- 
mens agreed closely with Miiller and Henle’s figures of R. horkelii, which appears to be 
separated from R. undulatus mainly on account of its darker snout. A pale snout is 
characteristic of the young, however, not only in R. columnce but also in R. djeddensis, 
R. halavi, R. schlegelii and R. granulatus . The same is true as regards white spots, 
at any rate in the case of R. djeddensis and R. schlegelii. 
Both Günther and Day state that in R. columnce ' the continuation of the anterior 
nasal valve almost meets its pair on the other side. In Bonaparte’s original figure, 
however, this is not represented as being the case. My specimens agree much more 
closely with Günther ’s description of R. undulatus than they do with his description of 
R. columnce, but I feel bound to follow Bonaparte’s figurein my identification. Some 
confusion probably exists between these two species, but I have not the material to 
clear it up. 
Rhinobatis schlegelii, Müller and Henle. 
Rhinobatus schlegelii, Gthr., op. cit., p. 445. 
Snout long, pointed, but shorter than that of R. granulatus ; the central concavity of 
the rostral ridge elongated and narrow. The two ridges on the posterior border 
of the spiracle very strongly developed. Anterior nasal valve produced into a 
flap which extends beyond the edge of the nostril inwards towards the middle line 
but does not nearly meet its fellow of the opposite side. Posterior nasal valve 
' vSince the above was written I have been able to examine a small Italian specimen of R. columncv 
preserved in sphit. It appears to be browner than my In lian specimens and lacks all trace of white 
spots. Otherwise it agrees with them very closely, except that perhaps the tubercles on the back and 
round the orbits are a little less prominent . — April i%th, 1909. 
