112 SKATE RAY. Class IV. 



spots; the jaws are covered with small granu- 

 lated but sharp-pointed teeth. The tail is of a 

 moderate length ; near the end are two fins ; 

 along the top of it is one row of spines, and on 

 the edges are irregularly dispersed a few others, 

 which makes us imagine with Mr. Ray, that in 

 this respect these fishes vary ; some having one, 

 others more orders of spines on the tail. It is 

 remarked that in the males of this species the 

 fins are full of spines. 

 Genera- Skates generate in March and April, at which 

 time they swim near the surface of the water, 

 several of the males pursuing one female ; and 

 adhere so fast during coition, that the fishermen 

 frequently draw up both together, though only 

 one has taken the bait. The females begin to 

 cast their purses, as the fishermen call them (the 

 bags in which the young are included) in May, 

 and continue doing so till September. In Octo- 

 ber they are exceedingly poor and thin, but in 

 November they begin to improve, and grow 

 gradually better till May, when they are in the 

 highest perfection. The males go sooner out of 

 season than the females. 



TION. 



