90 i^^ 



Penzance. Fish of small size, as wen ui tins 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 are thrown aside for manure, for which 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, ( Hirudo muricataj 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 oft' 



on the hind parts, from whence 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 tlie 



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 small 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 



