History of British animals - University of Guam Marine Laboratory

Raia. FISHES. CHONDROPT. 171Those with a subulate extremity and a broad radiated base, cover the surfaceof the pectorals and in front of the eyes. Those which are large, conical,curved, with a grooved base, occur, one in front of each eye, a few immediatelybehind, and a prominent row along the middle of the back and ridgeof the tail. Small spines occur in the loins and on each side of the eyes.This species was first announced as British by Mr Donovan, who procureda young one in London, from the north coast. It is evidently the R. Fullonicaof Fabricius, who describes the armature with his accustomed precision.The teeth, he adds, are broad at the base, elevated, pointed, and recurvedat their inner edge.** Central ridge of spines continued from the tail along theback.21. R. oxyrinchus. Sharp-nosed Ray.— Snout produced,the margins subparallel.Will. Ich. 71. Linn. Syst.i. 395. Penn. Brit. Zool. iii. 83 S, WhiteSkate, Friar Skate, May Skate, Mavis Skate Not rare.In the length of the body this species sometimes exceeds 6 feet, and weighsnearly 500 lb. The body is remarkably depressed. The skin is quite smooth,brown above, white beneath. Teeth sharp pointed, recurved, and broad atthe base. Tail short, with three rows of spines, the mesial one continued tothe head ; spines at the eyes.— 22. R. rubus. Rough Ray. Above rough, with minuteThree rows ofspines.large spines on the tail.Rough [Ray and Fuller Ray, Penn. Brit. Zool. iii. 85.—Block Ich. tab.84.—Don. Brit. Fishes,— tab. xx. E, Sand Ray ; S, Hommelin.Length upwards of 3 feet. Nose short. Body, above, yellowish-brown,with dark spots ; beneath, white. Spines around "the eyes and on the snout.— The spines likewise occur on the lower surface. Ventrals with only three1rays. Teeth pointed.— 23. R. niicrocellata. Small-eyed Ray. Above, rough, withminute spines ;one row of small-hooked spines on the tail, continuingalong the dorsal ridge to the head.Mont. Wern. Mem. ii. 430.— South-west coast of England.Length 20 inches. Colour, above, brown, with pale scattered spots andlines ; below, white and smooth. Snout obtuse. Eyes very -small, a spinein front, several smaller ones behind. Teeth obtusely cuneiform, with abroad edge, that feels rough to the finger as it is withdrawn from the mouth.Were it not for the spines in the tail being in a single row, instead of threerows, a circumstance Avhich may depend on age, it might be considered as theR. punctata of Risso, Ich. p. 12.*** Middle of the back destitute qf large spines.24. R. Batis. Skate.— Skin rough. Three rows of spineson the tail ;the points of those in the lateral rows directed forwards.R. hevis, Merr. Pen. 785. Sibb. Scot. 24. Will. Ich. 69 R. Batis,Linn. Syst.i. 395. Penn. Brit. Zool. iii. 82— E, Homelyn, Guilthead; S, Blue Skate, Grey Skate, Dinnen Skate—Common.This species sometimes reaches the weight of 200 pounds. Colour, above,