87 
SKATE. 
FLAIR. BLUE SKATE. GREY SKATE. TINKER. 
Batis vulgaris, Nobis. 
Basa Batis, Linn airs. Cuvibe. 
Lievis undulnfa, seu cinerea. 
Skate, or Flair, 'Witxoughbt; p. 69, tab. C. 6, from a dry 
skin. 
“ “ Bloch; pi. 79. 
La Baia Batis, Lacepede. 
Baia Batis, Kisso. Fi.eming; Br. Animals, p. 171. 
" “ Jenyns; Manual, p. 510. 
“ “ Yaeeell; Br. Fishes, vol. ii, p. 561. 
The Skate is one of our commonest fishes, and is found 
on all the coasts of the British Islands, although it becomes 
less abundant as we proceed towards the north. By its 
flattened form it is well fitted for a residence at the bottom, 
where it is usually met with on a soft or sandy ground at a 
good distance from land; and from which it does not often 
rise in the water, its emotions when aloft being with evident 
effort, by means chiefly of the pectoral fins, whilst the tail 
and dorsal fins are rather employed in directing its course 
than in urging it onward. Judging from the size of its 
nerves of sensation, — as well of feeling, as of smell and taste, 
and, it would appear, of hearing also, — it is a fish of quick 
impressions; and accordingly it is reported by fishermen to 
shew considerable choice in the selection of its food, and 
from my own enquiry, much skill in supplying its appetites. 
Sir John Dalyell found that a young Skate which he kept in 
captivity would not feed on anything but Whitings, and fish- 
ermen are aware that they catch them in much lai'ger numbers 
when they bait their hooks with pilchards or herrings. But 
although from what would appear to be the unfavourable 
situation of its mouth and eyes, it might be supposed to find 
a difficulty in satisfying the cravings of an eager appetite, it 
yet evidently possesses powers that make up for whatever 
exists of disadvantage. On examination of the stomachs of 
