THORNBACK SKATE. Ram dav&tn 



COMMON SKATB.-/Jaia batte 



The young of this and other Skates are produced from eggs, whose form is familiar to 

 every visitor to the seashore, where they go by the popular name of Skate-barrows. 

 Their colour is black, their texture leathery, thin, and tough, and their form wonderfully 

 like a common hand-barrow, the body of the barrow being represented by the middle of 

 the egg, and the handles by the four projections at the angles. The empty cases are 

 continually thrown on the beach, but it is seldom that the young are found inclosed, except 

 after a violent storm, or when obtained by means of the dredge. 



This species is notable for certain thorny appendages to the skin, which are profusely 

 sown over the back and whole upper surface, and among which stand out conspicuously a 

 few very large tubercular spines, with broad, oval, bony bases, and curved, sharp-pointed 

 projections. Fifteen or sixteen of these bony thorns are found on the back. Along the 

 spine runs a single row of similar spines, and at the commencement of the tail it is 

 accompanied by another row on either side, making that member a very formidable 

 instrument of offence. In point of fact, the tail is as formidable a weapon as can be met 

 with, and the manner in which this living quarter-staff is wielded adds in no slight degree 

 <o its power. When angered, the Skate bends its body into a bow-like form, so that the 



