68 GiANT FISHES 



close-set shagreen. The coloration of the upper side is very 

 variable, that of the lower side white or grey. 



The larger species may grow to a length of anything from 

 6 to 10 feet and a width across the disc of 7 or 8 feet. Other 

 species only attain a much smaller size. 



There are a large number of existing species of Skates and 

 Rays, found in most temperate seas, but more abundant in 

 the northern than in the southern hemisphere. Not only are 

 they mostly cold-water fishes, but they approach closer to 

 the Arctic and Antarctic regions than do any other members 

 of the Order. A few species are found at considerable depths, 

 and some of these deep-water forms may extend into tropical 

 seas. Many of the species are very similar, and experts 

 sometimes have difficulty in distinguishing them. Professional 

 fishermen generally lump them all together, large and small, 

 under the name of " skates ". Among the larger species 

 mention may be made of the Common Skate (R. batis), from 

 the coasts of Western Europe and from South Africa ; the 

 Burton Skate, White Skate or Bordered Ray (R. alba), with a 

 similar distribution ; the Barn-door Skate (R. stab nlif oris) , 

 ranging along the Atlantic coast of North America from Nova 

 Scotia to Florida ; the Calif ornian Ray {R. binoculata) ; and 

 the Japanese Skate (R. tengu). 



In the Skates and Rays we have fishes that are admirably 

 adapted for a life spent almost entirely on the sea floor. The 

 general shape is essentially that of a ground-living creature, 

 and the coloration of the back is one which harmonizes closely 

 with the ground on which they lie. In this way they are not 

 only protected from attack, but, lying motionless or gliding 

 like ghosts along the bottom, they are able to approach 

 within striking distance of their prey without being observed. 

 The difference in the general shape as compared with a 

 Guitar-fish or Saw-fish is accompanied by a difference in the 

 manner of swimming. The tail no longer forms the principal 

 organ of propulsion, being reduced to a mere appendage used 

 mainly for steering, and, instead, the huge pectoral fins, or 

 " wings " as the fishermen call them, are brought into play. 

 By a series of wave-like movements of these fins a Skate is 

 able to attain to a fair degree of speed. 



Normally a Skate is an inactive creature, lying half buried 



