RAIA. Ill 



they can look upwards on all that passes 

 over. 



Cased in a partially bony shell, its edges seem 

 to be eked out by broad gelatinous wings, with 

 which they flap through the water, as a bird uses 

 its wings, in aerial progression. In shoal, calm 

 water, we have often seen them lying at ease on 

 the mud of inlets, varying in size from an inch to 

 five feet. 



During the months of March and April, the fe 

 males cast their purses, or spawn ; from three to 

 five hundred eggs, have been extruded from one 

 of them, at a time. In the Spring, several males 

 may be . seen pursuing one female for hours to- 

 gether. 



Directly before our dwelling, on a warm day in 

 July, as the tide was receding, an unusual splash- 

 ing of water attracted attention, and resulted in the 

 capture of a skate, whose diameter was equal to 

 that of a wagon wheel. When thrown upon 'a 

 wheel-barrow, a strong man could scarcely push 

 the load before him, to the house. 



Skates are in less danger of being destroyed, 

 than most other fishes, excepting when young. 

 After having grown to a certain extent, even 

 sharks appear unwilling to attack them ; hence 

 they are exceedingly numerous. Lobster-men 

 spear the skate, for bait, by boat loads, and in 



