SHARKS AND RAYS. 233 



Grey -Nurse (Odontaspis taurus), the Blue Pointer 

 (Latnua glauca), the White Pointer (Carcharodon car- 

 charias), the Basking Shark (Cetorhinus maximus), the 

 Little Saw Shark (Pristiophonts cirratus}, the great Saw- 

 fish (Pristis zysron), the Angel Shark or Monkfish 

 (Sqnatina sqnatina), and the Ghost Shark (Chimcera 

 og\ilbyi) ; while amongst the Rays the following are of in- 

 terest: The "Shovelnose" (Rhinobatus banksii), the 

 Fiddler " (Tr \gonorrhina fasciata), three species of true 

 Skate (Raid), the Numb-Fish (Hypnos snbnignim), the 

 Common Stingray (Trygonoptera testacea), the Giant 

 Stingray (Trygonoptera bucculenta), the fearsome Thorn . 

 tailed Stingray also known as "Black" Stingray (Dasyabis 

 thctidis), the Sephen Stingray (Dasyatis sephen), the 

 Spotted Eagle Ray (Aetobatis narinan), the Eagle Ray 

 (Myliobatis aitstralis) and the immense Prince Alfred's 

 Ray (Manta alfredi). 



As it is not desirable here to go into any great detail 

 regarding these Sharks and Rays, a few of the more im- 

 portant or striking may be selected from among them. 



The Seven-gilled Shark : This is a widely-distributed 

 species, occurring in the Seas of India, Japan, South Africa 

 and California, as well as in our own seas, where it is not 

 very common. In Australian waters it is not looked upon 

 as one of the dangerous species, usually not attaining a 

 very large size. Its common name is derived from its pos- 

 session of seven gills, and, correspondingly, seven glill-slits 

 in place of five ; which is the usual number for elasmo- 

 branchiate fishes. In addition to this character, it may be 

 at once distinguished, by its possessing only one dorsal fin 

 and that far back on the body, opposite the anal in place 

 of two, as ordinarily seen. From this feature it is often 

 known as the "One-firmed Shark." 



In this species, the teeth are of a very peculiar shape, 

 most of them having a comb-like cutting edge. 



The Port Jackson Shark This is a small species 

 attaining a length of about 5 feet, more frequently seen 

 of a length of about 3 feet. It has a high, squarish head, 

 this being a character of the fishes of the genus Hetcro- 

 dontus generally. 



