36 



FISHES OF THE VICINITY OF NEW YORK 



COMMON SKATE 



The Torpedo, unlike the skates, has no spines anywhere and the 

 angles of the disk rounded. It has conspicuous spiracle holes behind 

 the small eye, a squarish tail fin, and is blackish in color above, white 

 beneath. Bearing no armature of spines, this remarkable fish protects 

 itself by its ability to give a severe electric shock. 



