534 Scientific Proceedings, Royal Dublin Society. 



increase, the latter. Although they eat about a third of the hooked 

 cod and ling, I never knew a conger to he touched. 



Torpedo nohiliana. — In his summary of the two species (p. 331), 

 Dr. Day correctly mentions the difference in the comparative sizes 

 of the dorsal fins in the two British species, hut these are not 

 shown at all in his figures ; or, if anything, are more prominent in 

 T. marmorata. 



Raid batis. — " Caillach " on the north coast is, next to the 

 thornhaok, the most abundant species about Portrush. By con- 

 noiseurs in skate small " caillachs " are considered almost, the equal 

 of " thornies " for eating fresh ; while large examples are said to 

 be infinitely the best for, if not the only ones worth, salting. I 

 have taken a thornback of 7| lbs. weight from the stomach of one 

 of these fishes. I must exonerate the fishermen of the north coast 

 from so grave a charge of laziness (see Day, vol. ii., p. 337) as that 

 of cutting their lines in order to save themselves the trouble of un- 

 hooking fish caught by the pectoral fin, which a slight cut of a 

 knife would do ; but I have known large examples thrown over- 

 board, and sometimes even cut adrift, in order to lighten an open 

 boat in a heavy winter sea. In my experience of the capture of 

 many hundred skates of all sorts, I never knew of a single example 

 being caught by the pectoral fin. They will take greedily whelks 

 and any kind of fish cut up as bait, and are sometimes quite a nui- 

 sance on the deep-sea lines. 



Raia fuUonica. — Only captured on the deep-sea lines in winter. 

 It is not at all uncommon at Portrush, where it is locally known as 

 the " piper," and is considered fair eating. The largest that I 

 have caught measured 42 inches. The teeth in a female example, 

 examined March 29th, 1878, were as sharp-pointed as those in 

 males captured on the same day, strong and slender in both. 



Raia clavata. — Enormous numbers are taken in summer on 

 Magilligan strand, both by trawl-boats and by lines baited with 

 sand-eels or fresh herrings. They are shipped fresh to the Liverpool 

 market. It is by far our most abundant species, and most prized 

 as food. When in good condition and cooked in a similar manner, 

 it can hardly be distinguished from dressed lobster. 



Rata maculata. — The " bengore skate " of Lough Foyle. Com- 

 mon in winter, and found in deeper water, with a rougher, Taed than 

 the preceding ; considered worthless as food. 



