6 
AMPHIBIA NANTES. RAJA. 
when stretched out, are flat, oblong, lanceolate, consisting of a white cartilaginous substance, striated like the 
lateral fin, and on the inside checkered black and white; exteriorly, they are of the same colour with the back. 
When half curled up, they bear a resemblance to two ears; but, when more closely contracted, to two horns. 
The eyes lateral, near the base of the above processes, round, flat, proportionally not large; the pupil per¬ 
pendicular, oblong-oval, narrow. The usual foramina behind the eyes, are here wanting. 
The nostrils beneath, gaping, a little more advanced than the eyes. The mouth three-fourths of an inch 
behind, more than three inches long, straight, linear, with a narrow stripe of granular teeth, in each jaw. 
Two oblong, rounded, ventral fins; a triangular dorsal fin situated high at the beginning of the tail; the tail 
remarkably short, slender, and without either spine or fin. 
The colour of the back, an uniform dark-brown, the belly whitish. 
Feet. Inches. 
The length, from the rostrum to the dorsal fin - - - i i 
from tip to tip of the lateral fins - 4 5 
length of the tail - -- -- -- - 8 
distance between the eyes ----- 5 
REMARKS. 
The specimen now described was brought to me in the month of February, 1788. I never saw another. 
The fishermen asserted that it was very rarely met with, which they are very apt to say, by way of enhancing the 
value of what they bring. In the present instance, however, I have reason for thinking they spoke the truth. 
I have since my return to England, received a drawing from St. Helena, of a fish caught there wnich appears 
to be exactly the same species, only much larger in size. It was sent to me by Mr. Brooke, the Governor. In 
order to show the mouth, and under parts of the fish, I had Mr. Brooke’s drawing reduced, and have given an 
engraving of it. 
The only account I have met with, of this singular fish, is in the Third Volume of Duhamel. Traite 
general des Pesches, Sect. ix. p. 293. PI. XVII. 
No. X. 
Raja corpore oblongo; rostro productiore; aculeis rejlexis ordinatim in medio dorso macula , 
nigra aliis albis circundata, prope pinnas pedorales ; cauda pinnata , inermi. 
The Raja with an oblong body, the rostrum elongated and pointed; a series of reflex 
prickles on the middle of the back, and a black spot, surrounded by three or four white 
spots, near each pectoral fin ; the tail pinnated, unarmed. 
Called by the Natives Walawah Tenkee. 
The body oblong, roundish, the lateral fin on each side slanting towards the tail, angular, not rounded, the 
posterior angle and interior edge distinctly separate from the body, and distant from the ventral fin. 
The head broad, very little convex; the rostrum very long, trigonal, channelled, pointed. The eyes small, 
oval, in deep orbits, the anterior edge of which is set with small prickles; the foramina behind, oval, with a 
small dent. The mouth and nostrils beneath ; the teeth granulous. 
The trunk. A regular line of prickles, runs along the ridge of the back, and others, on each side, are disposed in 
opposite pairs ; behind which, are three round white spots, at equal distances, on each side of the prickly line. On 
each lateral fin, is a larger oval, black spot in the middle of three or four white spots, like those on the back. 
