Observations on the egg-cases of some ovo-viviparous and viviparous elasmobranchs, with a note on the formation of the elasmobranch egg-case

Abstract

Egg-cases of a number of oviparous Elasmobranchs have been described from time to time, the oblong egg-capsules of skates and rays being known as `skate barrows,' 'sailors' purses,' 'mermaids' purses,' and 'mermaids' pin-boxes'. As in all the oviparous species known so far, so also in all ovo-viviparous and most of the viviparous species, the egg is protected by an egg-case. But little attention seems to have been paid to the study of the egg-cases of ovoviviparous and viviparous Elasmobranchs.