RAYS. 
313 
purses. In the north of England, they are 
called Skate-harrows, from their obvious resem- 
blance in form to a hand-barrow. As the inclosed 
young grows, the angular projections of the pec- 
toral fins bend over upon the body, and thus room 
is afforded for the little creature to attain that 
EGG OF SKATE. 
size and maturity which are requisite for it, 
when it forces its way out at an elastic crevice, 
to procure its living in freedom. 
The Rays, like the Fleuronectidce or Flat- 
fishes of the Osseous Orders, to which they pos- 
sess many curious analogies, are strictly ground- 
feeders. They habitually grovel along on the 
soft muddy bottom, moving with a peculiar undu- 
