270 FISHES. 



Raia batis, L. Skate, 



Very abundant and of large size. On two occasions we have seen 

 a huge Skate following our small sailing boat, between Rousay 

 and the Mainland, which would have filled the bottom of the 

 boat. On one occasion we were rowing, and the fish seemed to 

 be following the blade of the oar, coming close to the surface of 

 the water. 



Mr. Irvine-Fortescue's father, about the year 1865, caught a 

 Skate in a flounder net in Swanbister Bay, in about 8 fathoms 

 of water, which weighed 198 Ibs. 



Raia alba, Lactp. Bordered Ray, 



Not uncommon, and grows up to 250 to 280 Ibs. in weight. 

 J. G. M.-H. 



Note. It is more than probable that other species of Rays are met 

 with in Orkney, such as E. fullonica, and R. vomer, but as we 

 have no actual record of their occurrence, they cannot at present 

 be included. 



Mr. Moodie-Heddle sends us a note of one, which he thought 

 from the deWiption given was an Eagle Ray, which pursued a 

 boat under Berry Head in Hoy about 1866. The men were 

 much frightened, and threw out ballast, which the fish descended 

 after, but always again followed the boat, until the men ran it 

 into a geo. Could this have been the rare C. giornce, which is 

 said to attain an enormous size ? 



Raia lintea, Fries. Sharp-nosed Ray. 

 Recorded by W. Baikie. 



Sub-order HOLOCEPHALA. 



Family CHIM^BRIDJE. 



Chimaera monstrosa, L. Northern Chimera, 

 Recorded from the Orkneys by W. Baikie. 



