55 2 



The True Sharks 



"wheelbarrow-shaped," with a projecting tube at each of the 

 four angles. The size of this egg-case depends on the size of 

 the species, ranging from three to about eight inches in length. 

 In some species more than one egg is included in the same case. 



Most of the species belong to the typical genus Raja, and 

 these are especially numerous on the coasts of all northern 

 regions, where they are largely used as food. The flesh, although 

 rather coarse and not well flavored, can be improved by hot 

 butter, and as "raie au beurre noir" is appreciated by the 

 epicure. The rays of all have small rounded teeth, set in a close 

 pavement. 



Some of the species, known on our coasts as "barn-door 

 skates," reach a length of four or five feet. Among these are 

 Raja Icevis and Raja ocellata on our Atlantic coast, Raja binocu- 



FIG. 344. Common Skate, Raja erinacea Mitchill. Wood's Hole, Mass. 



la ta in California, and Raja tengu in Japan. The small tobacco- 

 box skate, brown with black spots, abundant on the New England 

 coast, is Raja erinacea. The corresponding species in Cali- 

 fornia is Raja inornata, and in Japan Raja kenojei. Numerous 

 other species, Raja batis, clavata, circular-is, fullonica, etc., 

 occur on the coasts of Europe. Some species are variegated in 

 color, with eye-like spots or jet-black marblings. Still others, 

 living in deep waters, are jet-black with the body very soft and 



