140 ODD EFFECT OF FISH DIET "SOUR SKATE." [PART I. 



ed with the conviction that any other kinds of 

 fish would have the mysterious and unpleasant 

 effect he attributed to them. 



We have heard of strange modes of dressing 

 food in use amongst uncivilised tribes, but I doubt 

 whether any "traveller's tales" have ventured on 

 the description of one more eccentric than the fol- 

 lowing mode of preparing Skate for the table, the 

 ingenuity of which is only surpassed by its ex- 

 ceeding nastiness, and which I was not a little 

 taken aback at finding adopted in a corner of our 

 own enlightened kingdom. The fish, when cleaned 

 (a somewhat unnecessary preliminary one would 

 think), is buried in wet horse-dung, where it is al- 

 lowed to soak for about twenty-four hours. It is 

 then taken out, (washed, we hope), and boiled for 

 the table, where it is presented as "Sour Skate" 

 " a varra deleecious dish," according to my infor- 

 mant, who evidently spoke of it with consider- 

 able gusto. If, as has been asserted, the pro- 

 gress of the gastronomic art affords a fair test 

 by which to estimate the march of civilization, 

 what conclusion might not be drawn from this 

 little circumstance with regard to our friends of 

 the Hebrides? 



If some of the Scotch have strange fancies in 



