74 
LECTURE Vlir, 
sometimes weighing at least two hundred pounds ; 
its general colour on the upper side is pale brown, 
with deeper variegations, and white, tinged with 
flesh-colour beneath. It is found in great plenty 
about the European coasts. Like the rest of the 
genus the Skate may be termed oviviviparous, dis- 
charging its young, each in a kind of oblong square 
capsule or pouch. 
Some species of Raj^ are furnished with a very 
Jong and slender tail, towards the middle of which 
is attached a long, sharp, serrated spine, which the 
animal uses both as an offensive and defensive 
weapon : the wounds it inflicts with this spine are 
considered as highly dangerous, but the effect is 
produced by the mere puncture and laceration of 
the instrument, and not by any poisonous fluid, of 
which, as we have before had occasion to observe, 
all the fish tribe is destitute. 
Among the most remarkable fishes of this 
genus, are those which are distinguished by a sort 
of forked or two-lobed head, with the side or pec- 
toral fins extending to a great distance on each 
side. These kinds of Rays grow to a vast size, 
and are chiefly found in the Indian and American 
