34 



prejudice. There can be little doubt that Dogfish, or '' Flake," as it 

 is often called, can be rendered quite palatable, if care is exercised in 

 cooking, and it is much to be regretted that the market is still so small. 

 A good method of cookery consists in frying in fillets. 



The Dogfish, especially the commonest species (Spur Dog), constitutes 

 at times a serious menace to certain drift fisheries by the damage it 

 causes to the nets and enmeshed fish, and it is therefore highly desirable 

 that its market value should advance to such a standard that a regu'ar 

 fishery could be prosecuted. 



The various species are either viviparous, or bring forth the ova 

 enclosed in hi/rny pouches, the so-called "Mermaids' Purses " facts 

 which serve to maintain a plentiful supply of these comparatively 

 undesirable fishes. 



No. 35. SKATES and RAYS. 



Several species of the Genus Raia. 



Usual extreme length : The Common Skate (see figure), kno\vn 

 also as " Kokcr," attains a length of 7 feet or more, hut tin- 

 majority of the other species are considerably smaller. 



Description :- \\\ the Skates and Rays agree in having- the body 

 compressed from above and below, the eyes thus maintaining a 

 normal position on the upper surface of the body. In this 



