THE THORNBACK SKATE. 



209 



brownish oblong objects on the beaches, having four arms, which cling to seaweeds sometimes. 

 These are the eggs. Fine examples will be seen on page 19.5, and in the plate near the close of 

 this volume, entitled Gorgonia verrucosa ; the "barrows" are seen coiling on the branches. 



The Eagle Rays form another family, having three genera and twenty species. 



The Cow-nose Rays are members of this family. Some of them are very handsome — 

 really looking like large butterflies Avhile swimming, being about a foot wide, with pure white 

 bellies and delicate gray backs. 



The Rays are well represented by several large and curious species. One of the 

 commonest examples is the Thornback Skate or Ray, so called from the large number 



THORNBACK SKATE.— /?cya davata. 



of thorny projections which are scattered over its back, and especially along the spine. This 

 species is represented by the illustration. 



The Thornback is one of the common Rays, and is taken plentifully on the shores of 

 northern Europe. As is the case with many of the same genus, the flesh is considered rather 

 good, and is eaten both when fresh and when salted for consumption during stormy weather. 

 Autumn and winter are the best seasons for procuring this fish, as the flesh is then firm and 

 white, while during the rest of the year it is rather liable to become flabby. Thornbacks 

 taken in November are thought to be the best. 



Vol. m.-87. 



