[Three Hundred Animals Contents]

IS very voracious and feeds upon all kind of flat fish, as soles, flounders, &c. he is often caught on the coasts of Great Britain, and of such a size as to weigh sometimes a hundred pounds. This fish seems to be of a middle nature between the Rays and Sharks, and is called by Pliny the Squatina; a name which seems to bring his kind near that of the Skate. His head is large, the mouth has five rows of teeth, which are capable of being raised or depressed at pleasure. The back is of a pale ash colour, the belly white and smooth. The shores of Cornwall are often frequented by this fish, but his flesh does not deserve to be praised, being hard and of a very indifferent flavour.