95 
FLAPPER SKATE 
Satis inlsmifidia, Nobis. 
Baia intermedia, Palinell; in Yarrell’s Br. Fiskos, vol. ii, p. 553. 
Dr. Paknkt.t,, who had well studied the fishes of Scotland, 
believed he had discovered or distinguished a new species of 
Skate, that was specifically distinct from the common sort, 
hut which, at least by naturalists, had usually been confounded 
with it. The people of that country were accustomed to call 
it the Flapper Skate. His description of the characters by 
which he would distinguish it are,— the upper surface perfectly 
smooth, without granulations; the anterior part of the orbit 
of the eye having a strong spine pointing backwards; the 
dorsal fins more distant from each other than in the Common 
Skate, and the anterior margins of the pectoral fins more 
concave, giving the snout a sharper appearance. Colour of 
the back a dark olive, spotted with white; the under surface 
a dark >’'rey. The specimens examined were young, as appears 
from their small size, no one exceeding two feet in length. 
With regard to these particulars of distinction, there are 
some of them which can weigh but little, for there aie few 
fishes which do not vary greatly in colour according to the 
nature of their haunts; and all the young ones of this family 
are ornamented with more lively tints than those of greater 
age, and also witli a different distribution of the markings. 
The number of spines on the body is not less liable to 
variation, but the outline of the disk is more deserving of 
attention! We give a figure of a fish which answers closely 
to the description of the Flapper Skate given by Dr. Parnell, 
except in such particulars as 1 know to be liable to variation 
and uncertainty. Further observations will be required to 
settle this question of identity. The habits of the Flapper 
