CLASS PISCES. 599 



Carcharias, Cuv., 



A numerous and most celebrated tribe ; have the 

 teeth trenchant and pointed, and most frequently 

 dentated on their edges ; the first dorsal very much 

 before the ventrals, and the second nearly opposite 

 the anal. They want air-holes ; their depressed 

 muzzle has the nostrils under its middle, and the 

 last holes of the gills extend over the pectorals \ 



Sq. carcharias, L., Belon, 60 2 . (white, or common 

 shark, Fr. Reqiihi). Reaches five-and-twenty feet in 

 length, and is recognized by its teeth, nearly in the 

 form of an isosceles triangle, with rectilinear sides, and 

 dentated in the upper jaw ; the lower have a narrow 

 point, upon a broader basis, a terrible weapon, which 

 causes terror to navigators. It appears to be found 

 in all seas ; but the name has been often given to 

 other species with trenchant teeth. 



We also catch upon our coasts 



Sq. vulpes, L., Rondel. 387. (fox shark, or thrasher). 



1 Carcharias is the Greek name of some large squalus, synonymous 

 with Lamia. 



2 N.B. This figure of Belon is the only good one : the majority 

 of the others are faulty. Bl. 119, is a very different species, which 

 appears to approximate more to Scymnus. Gunner, Mem. de Dronth. 

 II. pi. x. xi., the same described by Fabr., Groenl. 127, is another 

 species, also approximating to scymnus. Rondel. 390, copied, 

 Aldrov. 383, is the Sq. cornubicus, as well as Aldrov. 388, from 

 which the anal only is removed ; to the same fish belong the jaws, 

 Id. 382. I shall not speak of the monstrous figure of Gesner, 173, 

 copied, Will., B. 7 ; Lacep. I. viii. 1. is the Sq. ustus. 



