140 ODD EFFECT OF FISH DIET-—“ SOUR SKATE.” [PART I. 
ed with the conviction that any other kinds of 
fish would have the mysterious and unpleasant 
effect he attributed to them. 
We have heard of strange modes of dressing 
food in use amongst uncivilised tribes, but I doubt 
whether any “traveller's tales” have ventured on 
the description of one more eccentric than the fol- 
lowing mode of preparing Skate for the table, the 
ingenuity of which is only surpassed by its ex- 
ceeding nastiness, and which I was not a little 
taken aback at finding adopted in a corner of our 
own enlightened kingdom. The fish, when cleaned 
(a somewhat unnecessary preliminary one would 
think), is buried in wet horse-dung, where it is al- 
lowed to soak for about twenty-four hours. It is 
then taken out, (washed, we hope), and boiled for 
the table, where it is presented as “Sour Skate’— 
“a varra deleecious dish,” according to my infor- 
mant, who evidently spoke of it with consider- 
able gusto. If, as has been asserted, the pro- 
gress of the gastronomic art affords a fair test 
by which to estimate the march of civilization, 
what conclusion might not be drawn from this 
little circumstance with regard to our friends of 
the Hebrides ? 
If some of the Scotch have strange fancies in 
