Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 37, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 March 1905 — Description of a Skate. [ARTICLE]

Description of a Skate.

The barndoor skate beggars description. I never could tell whether be was looking at me wftli his eyes or bls breathe-holes, says a writer lu ■Country Life in America. He is a bottom fish and flat like a flounder. He has a triangular body, the apex of which forms the snout; opposite his snout are his tad and a few extra pieces of his overcoat, which kind nature has tagged on him in case he gets torn and has to be mended. His tall is embellished with a few spines—this 1 know for a fact. He lias a couple of eyes, a little way back of his snout, and right back of these are a couple of holes that extend completely through him. These holes connect with his lungs, or'whatever he uses to breathe with, and have an uncomfortable way of looking at yon at tlie same time as bis eyes. He has a mouth, too, but it is on the under side of him, mil convenient for business. It Is a ful ny thing, with spines on the lips, and when you pull tlie lower Jaw the upper Jaw moves with it—a sort of automatic trap, not unlike what you can see In any 10-cent restaurant. This Is n land lubber's description, but it Is enough.