726 PISCES—SKATE...STURGEON 
THE SKATE! 
1s 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. f 
ORDER III.—STURIONES. 
Tuese fishes have bronchial openings, much cleft, furnished with an ope . 
culum, but without rays in the membrane; bronehie 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. 
2 Accipenser sturio, Lrx. The genus Accipenser has the body elongated, and furnished 
as well as the head, with rows of bony prominences ; mouth placed under the snout cyline 
drical, retractile, and without teeth ; four cirri beneath the snout, 
