SECT. XCIII.—ON THE CARTILAGINOUS FISHES.
Of the cartilaginous fishes, the torpedo and pastinaca have soft and sweet flesh, which passes readily downwards, is easily digested, and proves nutritive. The flairs (raiæ), skates (leviraiæ), monk fish (squatina), and the like, are harder and difficult to digest, and more nutritious. In general, those animals which have hard flesh are difficult to digest, and contain much nourishment. When properly digested, they furnish much and substantial nourishment.
Commentary. For an account of the σελάχη, or cartilaginea, see Aristotle (H. A. v); Pliny (H. N. ix, 40); Oppian (Halieut, i); Ælian (N. A. xi, 37.)
Galen says that they are called σελάχη from σέλας ἔχειν, because their flesh had a shining appearance at night. He states that they are moderately nutritious. He remarks, that the parts about the tail of such fishes are more fleshy than the middle.
According to Athenæus, the cartilaginous fishes in general are flatulent, fleshy, of difficult digestion, and, if eaten in great quantity, blunt the sight. (Deipnos. viii.)
Dr. Coray says that the French call the Ῥίνη ange or angelot, the Βάτος raie bouclée or cavellade, the Λειόβατος raie miralet, the Νάρκη torpille or raie torpille, and the Τρυγὼν pastinaque. Harduin gives them nearly the same French names. We are inclined to refer the ῥίνη to the squalus squatina L. monk or angel-fish: the βατὶς and λειόβατὶς to the raia batis and raia varia, two species of skate; the νάρκη to the raia torpedo or cramp-fish; and the τρυγὼν to the raia pastinaca L. or fire-flair.