726 PISCES—SKATE...STURGEON. 
THE SKATE} 

ls the largest of the genus, as well as the best; the flesh being white, firm, 
and of a good flavor. It is sometimes of an immense size. It has a broad 
flat body, brown on the back, and white on the belly. The principal diffe- 
rence between it and the thornback consists in its having sharp teeth, and a 
single row of spines on the tail; whilst the latter has blunt teeth, and several 
rows of spines both on the back and tail. The females produce their off- 
spring from May till September. Each of the young ones is inclosed in an 
angular oblong bag, of a maroon color; a substance like thin parchment, or 
leather, and having two horns at each end. These, which are sometimes 
cast ashore after storms, are called purses by the fishermen. 
ORDER III.—STURIONES. 
Tuese fishes have bronchial openings, much cleft, furnished with an oper- 
culum, but without rays in the membrane; bronchie free. 
THE STURGEON, 

In its general form, resembles a fresh water pike. Formidable as this large 
and finely tasted fish is in its appearance, it is perfectly harmless; the body, 
which is from six to eighteen feet in length, is pentagonal, armed from head 


1 Raia batis, Lin. 
* Accipenser sturio, Lx. The genus Accipenser has the body elongated, and furnished, 
as well as the head, with rows of Pony prominences ; mouth placed under the snout cylin« 
drical, retractile, and without teeth ; four cirri beneath the snout, 
