87 



SKATE. 



FLAIR. BLUE SKATE. GREY SKATE. TINKER. 



Batis vulgaris, Nobis. 



Rasa Batis, LiNN^us. Cuviek. 



LcEuis undidnfrt, sen cinerea, 



Skate, or Flair, Witxotjghby ; p. 69, tab. C. 6, from a dry 



skin. 



" " . Bloch; pi. 79. 



La Raia Batis, Lacepede. 



Raia Batis, Bisso. Fleming; Br. Animals, p. 171. 



" " Jenyns; Mannal, p. 510. 



" Yakrell; Br. Fishes, vol. ii, p. 561. 



The Skate is one of our commonest fishes, and is found 

 on all the coasts of the British Islands, although it becomes 

 less abundant as we proceed towards the north. By its 

 flattened form it is well fitted for a residence at the bottom, 

 where it is usually met with on a soft or sandy ground at a 

 good distance from land; and from which it does not often 

 rise in the water, its emotions when aloft being with evident 

 effort, by means chiefly of the pectoral fins, whilst the tail 

 and dorsal fins are rather employed in directing its course 

 than in urging it onward. Judging from the size of its 

 nerves of sensation, as well of feeling, as of smell and taste, 

 and, it would appear, of hearing also, it is a fish of quick 

 impressions; and accordingly it is reported by fishermen to 

 shew considerable choice in the selection of its food, and 

 from my own enquiry, much skill in supplying its appetites. 

 Sir John Dalyell found that a young Skate which he kept in 

 captivity would not feed on anything but Whitings, and fish- 

 ermen are aware that they catch them in much larger numbers 

 when they bait their hooks with pilchards or herrings. But 

 although from what would appear to be the unfavourable 

 situation of its mouth and eyes, it might be supposed to find 

 a difficulty in satisfying the cravings of an eager appetite, it 

 yet evidently possesses powers that make up for whatever 

 exists of disadvantage. On examination of the stomachs of 



