FAMILY RAID — RAIA. 371 
across the temporal orifices, which are equal in length to the diameter of the eyes and directly 
behind them, thirteen inches. Width directly in front of the eyes, ten inches; across the top 
of the snout, one. Ventrals lighter colored than the rest of the body; the rays digitated at 
their extremities. Dorsals equal in length; the anterior slightly highest, both rounded, and 
about half an inch apart; the posterior terminates within an inch of the extremity of the tail, 
by a membranous prolongation, which is more elevated at its posterior extremity. All the 
under portion of the body dingy white, perfectly smooth, with the exception of a very few 
spines, hardly perceptible except by the touch, on each side of the commencement of the 
caudal fins, and a small patch of equally minute spines upon the middle of the tail, just in 
front of the termination of the ventral fins. Mucous pores over the greatest part of the under 
side, appearing like black dots,’ generally irregular; but a longitudinal row towards the 
middle of the pectorals, and a transverse row at the base of the ventrals. Mouth large, with 
compact hexahedral teeth, forming almost a plane surface; the inner angle of the inner- 
most middle ones beginning to become acute. Nostrils distant from the mouth half its length. 
Pectoral rays very obvious beneath. Anal opening oblong; above of a light-ash color, 
sprinkled over its entire surface with blackish ocellated spots more or less large. Margin of 
the pectorals reddish. Length three feet three inches; width two feet. Ina male four feet 
six inches long and three feet wide, Dr. S. noticed all the under surface roughened with nume- 
rous small tubercles; the teeth quite sharp, presenting in their middle portions acute angles, 
recurved, exhibiting regular rows passing backwards, with a space of a line or more between 
them. Ona line opposite the eye, on the margin of the pectorals, from four to six longitu- 
dinal rows of strong recurved spines; on the back of the pectorals, towards the lateral angle, 
are four to five longitudinal rows of spines directed towards the dorsum of the fish. 
Color, uniform light brown, with no ocellated spots. 
Although this species, as I have reason to believe, is frequently sold in our markets under 
the name of Skate, yet it has always appeared cut up into small portions, and I have never 
had an opportunity of examining or obtaining a figure of the unmutilated animal. We find 
in the European Skate the following characters, which appear to be much at variance with 
those given above: ‘No spines in front of the eyes; spines on the ridge of the tail, each 
with a broad oval tubercular base; lateral spines few, rarely exceeding six, and entirely 
wanting on the lower two-thirds of the tail; frequently a solitary spine between the two dor- 
sals. Skin above rough, granulated. ‘Teeth numerous, sharp pointed, with broad bases.” 
On the coast of Europe, the skate is considered quite a delicacy, particularly the pectoral fins. 
