  We try to explain the differences between the concepts of stratifiable space
and $\varkappa$-metrizable space. In particular, we give a characterization of
$\varkappa$-metrizable spaces which is modelled on Chigogidze's
characterization. Moreover, we present a $\varkappa$-metric for the Niemytzki
plane, using the properties of the Euclidean metric.
