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RAYS.
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purses. In the north of England, they are called Skate-barrows, from their obvious resemblance in form to a hand-barrow. As the inclosed young grows, the angular projections of the pectoral 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 Pleuronectidæ or Flat-fishes of the Osseous Orders, to which they possess many curious analogies, are strictly ground-feeders. They habitually grovel along on the soft muddy bottom, moving with a peculiar undu-
