90 
SKATE. 
Penzance. Fish of small size, as well of this as of some 
other hinds belonging to the same family, are popularly called 
Maids, and under this name are sometimes found in the 
market. They are esteemed by fishermen, whether fresh or 
salted 5 but those of full groM^th are purchased at a low price 
by the crab and lobster fishermen for bait; and, if not so sold, 
they are thrown aside for manure, for which purpose they 
are of much value. A freshly caught Skate is good bait for 
a crab, but it is most successful for a lobster when it has 
0 * been kept long enough to have become stale. 
The fish leech, f' Hirudo muricataj is more frequently 
parasitic on this species than on any other of the family. 
The body is in form of a rhomb or lozenge, rounded oflp 
on the hind parts, from whence a slender tail tapers to the 
end. The snout projects, and from thence the sides of the 
disk slope away to the extremity of the expanded pectoral 
fins: a line drawn from the extended borders of these fins 
across the disk, passes considerably behind the middle of the 
body. The mouth is on the lower surface, much behind the 
snout, and capacious within ; the teeth numerous, in longitudinal 
rows, thickly covering the jaws; the largest in the middle, 
which are broad at the base, pointed, and with the points 
directed inward. Nostrils lobed, and near the angle of the 
mouth; gill openings five on each side, converging. Ventral 
fins broad and flat, enclosing the vent. Eyes on the top of 
the head, at the same distance from the snout as the mouth, 
separate, and looking towards the sides; a spiracle behind each 
eye, communicating with the roof of the mouth. The caudal 
portion slender, less than the length of the body, depressed, with 
two rounded fins near the end. The body is often covered 
with small prickles, and I have seen an example w'hcre even 
the larger spines have been wanting, so that no dependence 
can be placed on them as specific marks; but in general the 
males have a larger number of these spines than the females. 
They are usually furnished with a narrow border or bed of 
them near the margin of the pectorals, and one (sometimes 
three) imperfect row's on the middle of the back; the tail 
possesses three rows, of which one passes along the middle 
to the first dorsal fin, and the others run along the borders, 
their points directed outward. The usual dimensions of this 
