720 



PISCES— SKATE. ..STURGEON 



THE SKATE* 



Is the largest of the genus, as well as the best ; the flesh being white, firm, 

 and of a good flavor. It is sometimes of an immense size. It has a broad 

 flat body, brown on the back, and white on the belly. The principal diffe- 

 rence between it and the thornback consists in its having sharp teeth, and a 

 single row of spines on the tail ; whilst the latter has blunt teeth, and several 

 rows of spines both on the back and tail. The females produce their off- 

 spring from May till September. Each of the young ones is inclosed in an 

 angular oblong bag, of a maroon color; a substance like thin parchment, or 

 leather, and having two horns at each end. These, which are sometimes 

 cast ashore after storms, are called purses by the fishermen. 



ORDER III. — STURIONES. 



These fishes have bronchial openings, much cleft, furnished with an oper- 

 culum, but without rays in the membrane; bronchia? free. 



THE STURGEON, 2 



~v? 



In its general form, resembles a fresh water pike. Formidable as this large 

 and finely tasted fish is in its appearance, it is perfectly harmless; the body, 

 which is from six to eighteen feet in length, is pentagonal, armed from head 



1 Raia batis, Lin. 



* Accipenser sturio, Lin. The genus Accipenser has the hody elongated, and furnished, 

 as well as the head, with rows of bony prominences ; mouth placed under the sr.out cylin- 

 drical, retractile, and without teeth ; four cirri beneath the snout. 



