90 SKATE. 



Penzance. Fish of small size, as well of this as of some 

 other kinds belonging to the same family, are popularly called 

 Maids, and under this name are sometimes found in the 

 market. They are esteemed by fishermen, whether fresh or 

 salted; but those of full growth are purchased at a low price 

 by the crab and lobster fishermen for bait; and, if not so sold, 

 they arc thrown aside for manure, for Avhich purpose they 

 are of much value. A freshly caught Skate is good bait for 

 a crab, but it is most successful for a lobster when it has 

 been kept long enough to have become stale. 



The fish leech, f Hirudo muricata,) is more frequently 

 parasitic on this species than on any other of the family. 



The body is in form of a rhomb or lozenge, rounded oflf 

 on the hind parts, from Avhence a slender tail tapers to the 

 end. The snout projects, and from thence the sides of the 

 disk slope away to the extremity of the expanded pectoral 

 fins: a line drawn from the extended borders of these fins 

 across the disk, passes considerably behind the middle of the 

 body. The mouth is on the lower surface, much behind the 

 snout, and capacious within; the teeth numerous, in longitudinal 

 rows, thickly covering the jaws; the largest in the middle, 

 which are broad at the base, pointed, and with the points 

 directed inward. Nostrils lobed, and near the angle of the 

 mouth; gill openings five on each side, converging. Ventral 

 fins broad and flat, enclosing the vent. Eyes on the top of 

 the head, at the same distance from the snout as the mouth, 

 separate, and looking towards the sides; a spiracle behind each 

 eye, communicating with the roof of the mouth. The caudal 

 portion slender, less than the length of the body, depressed, with 

 two rounded fins near the end. The body is often covered 

 with sniall prickles, and I have seen an example where even 

 the larger spines have been wanting, so that no dependence 

 can be placed on them as specific marks; but in general the 

 males have a larger number of these spines than the females. 

 They are usually furnished with a narrow border or bed of 

 them near the margin of the pectorals, and one (sometimes 

 three) imperfect rows on the middle of the back; the tail 

 possesses three rows, of which one passes along the middle 

 to the first dorsal fin, and the others run along the borders, 

 their points directed outward. The usual dimensions of this 



