32 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



posteriorly; second dorsal rhomboidal, very small, produced pos- 

 teriorly, its base extending farther backward than the anal base; 

 pectorals placed low, subtriangular, broad, slightly concave be- 

 hind; ventrals small, broad, nearly midway between the dorsal 

 fins, produced behind; anal similar to second dorsal but some- 

 what larger, more concave behind; caudal equal in length to 

 width of head, its lower lobe short, the upper ending in a small 

 triangular portion; color uniform dusky gray, paler beneath. 



The hammerhead shark reaches a length of 15 feet; it is a 

 voracious species, found in all warm seas. Mitchill records the 

 capture of three individuals in a net at Sag Harbor, in Septem- 

 ber 1805, the largest measuring 11 feet; and on opening its belly 

 many detached parts of a man, together with his clothing, were 

 found in it. He had a specimen from the bay of New York. 

 De Kay had a specimen 25 inches long which was taken in a 

 seine in New York harbor and he saw examples 4 feet long in 

 Hell Gate. Dr Smith publishes the following about its occur- 

 rence at Woods Hole: 



Usually common; some years abundant. Taken in traps from 

 July to October, being most numerous in July and August. 

 Generally swims with its dorsal and caudal fins out of the warter. 

 The largest ones taken here are 7 or 8 feet long; the smallest are 

 under 1-| feet ; and the average are 4 feet. The name " rake- 

 head " is an old local designation of this species. 



In Great Egg Harbor bay, N. J., small examples, measuring 

 about 2 feet or less, are occasionally caught with hooks in Au- 

 gust and larger ones, 5 or 6 feet long, have been seen. It is called 

 " shovelnose shark " there. This shark is not common in Graves- 

 <end bay, but is sometimes found in August and September. 



Family. 



Thresher Sharks 

 Genus ALOPIAS Rafinesque 



Body fusiform, moderately elongate, the snout short and 

 blunt; mouth horseshoe-shaped; teeth distant, flat, triangular, 

 -entire, the third tooth of upper jaw on each side much the small- 

 est; gill openings moderate, the last smallest and placed just 



