262 Shark and Company 



Nostril 



Caudal Fin 

 Dortal Fin 



1 *' Dorsal Fin 



Outline of a typical Skate, as viewed from above ( left ) and below ( right ) , showing 

 principal external features. Courtesy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 



Texas Skate 

 (Raja texana Chandler, 1921) 

 This skate, which reaches a maximum known length of 20 inches, is 

 spectacularly marked by a single eye-like spot on the upper side of each 

 "wing" or pectoral. 



It is known on the west coast of Florida and the coasts of Mississippi, 

 Louisiana, and Texas. 



THE RAYS 



The rays have a much wider distribution than the skates in the salt 

 and fresh waters of the world, and a wider diversity of forms to suit 

 them to their environments. They are found at considerable altitudes in 



