418 



J! AUDI-. 



tlie representation here inserted will evince. These horny 

 cases of the Rays, like those of the Sharks, are also 

 called purses ; and on the coast of Cumberland bear the 

 name of Skate-baiTows, from the resemblance in shape to 

 a four-handed machine by which two men carry goods. As 

 the young Skate increases in size, the angular parts of the 

 body curve over for a time, till the fish ultimately escapes 

 to provide for itself in a much wider but more dangerous 

 region. 



The eight species of true Rays which are found on the 

 coasts of this country will be arranged here in two divisions ; 

 the first of which contains four species, having the snout 

 more or less elongated and sharp : the second division contains 

 also four species with blunt noses, the two last of which are 

 furnished with numerous sharp spines on various parts of the 

 surface of the body, and thus lead to the more powerfully 

 armed short-nosed species which will follow. 



The Skate, as food, are held in very different degrees of 



