Skate — Chambers's Encyclopaedia

A detailed black and white illustration of a Common Skate (Raia batis). It shows the dorsal view of the fish, which has a diamond-shaped body with a large, triangular pectoral fin. The head is small and located at the top of the pectoral fin, with a single eye visible. A long, thin tail extends from the bottom of the body. The illustration is rendered with fine lines and shading to show texture and form. — Common Skate (*Raia batis*).

Skate, the popular name of several species of Ray (q.v.). The Common Skate (Raia batis), the large R. binoculata, which attains a length of 6 feet. But a revision of the species of skate is necessary. Skates are voracious fishes, feeding along the bottom. Their egg-cases or mermaids' purses are often thrown up on the beach. They are often caught on the lines, but great numbers are now brought to market by the trawlers. The greatly expanded pectoral fins are eaten, but the flesh tends to be coarse.