FAMILY RAIIDiE — RATA. 371 



across the temporal orifices, which are equal in length to the diameter of the eyes and directly 

 behind them, thirteen inches. Width directly in front of the eyes, ten inches ; across the top 

 of the snout, one. Ventrals lighter colored than the rest of the body ; the rays digitated at 

 their extremities. Dorsals equal in length ; the anterior slightly highest, both rounded, and 

 about half an inch apart ; the posterior terminates within an inch of the extremity of the tail, 

 by a membranous prolongation, which is more elevated at its posterior extremity. All the 

 under portion of the body dingy white, perfectly smooth, with the exception of a very few 

 spines, hardly perceptible except by the touch, on each side of the commencement of the 

 caudal fins, and a small patch of equally minute spines upon the middle of the tail, just in 

 front of the termination of the ventral fins. Mucous pores over the greatest part of the under 

 side, appearing like black dots, generally irregular ; but a longitudinal row towards the 

 middle of the pectorals, and a transverse row at the base of the ventrals. Mouth large, with 

 compact hexahedral teeth, forming almost a plane surface ; the inner angle of the inner- 

 most middle ones beginning to become acute. Nostrils distant from the mouth half its length. 

 Pectoral rays very obvious beneath. Anal opening oblong ; above of a light-ash color, 

 sprinkled over its entire surface with blackish ocellatcd spots more or less large. Margin of 

 the pectorals reddish. Length three feet three inches ; width two feet. In a male four feet 

 six inches long and three feet wide. Dr. S. noticed all the under surface roughened with nume- 

 rous small tubercles ; the teeth quite sharp, presenting in their middle portions acute angles, 

 recurved, exhibiting regular rows passing backwards, with a space of a line or more between 

 them. On a line opposite the eye, on the margin of the pectorals, from four to six longitu- 

 dinal rows of strong recurved spines ; on the back of the pectorals, towards the lateral angle, 

 are four to five longitudinal rows of spines directed towards the dorsum of the fish. 



Color, uniform light brown, with no ocellatcd spots. 



Although this species, as I have reason to believe, is frequently sold in our markets under 

 the name of Skate, yet it has always appeared cut up into small portions, and I have never 

 had an opportunity of examining or obtaining a figure of the unmutilated animal. We find 

 in the European Skate the following characters, which appear to be much at variance with 

 those given above : " No spines in front of the eyes ; spines on the ridge of the tail, each 

 with a broad oval tubercular base ; lateral spines few, rarely exceeding six, and entirely 

 wanting on the lower two-thirds of the tail ; frequently a solitary spine between the two dor- 

 sals. Skin above rough, granulated. Teeth numerous, sharp pointed, with broad bases." 

 On the coast of Europe, the skate is considered quite a delicacy, particularly the pectoral fins. 



