CLASS PISCES. ()03 



Selache 1 , Cuv., 



Join to the form of the sharks, and the air-holes of 

 galeus, branchial apertures large enough to surround 

 almost the whole arch, and small conical teeth with- 

 out dentations. The known species, Sq. maximus, 

 L., (the basking shark) Blainville, Ann. du Mus, torn, 

 xviii. pi. vi. f. 1., has nothing of the ferocity of the 

 shark, although it exceeds it in size, as it does all 

 the other squali. Individuals are found of more than 

 thirty feet in length. It inhabits the northern seas, 

 but is sometimes seen on our coasts, being brought 

 hither by strong winds from the north-west 2 . 



Cestracion, Cuv., 



Have, with the air-holes, the anal, and the rounded 

 teeth of mustelus, a spine in front of each dorsal, like 

 spinax, and, moreover, their pointed jaws advance as 

 far as the muzzle, and have at the middle some small 

 pointed teeth, and towards the angles some others 



1 Selache, 2\ax>h a Greek name common to- all cartilaginous 

 fishes. 



2 See its anatomy by M. tie Blainville, loc cit. N.B. The dif- 

 ferences remarked between the figures and descriptions of Gunner, 

 Dronth. III. ii. 1, of Pennant, Brit. Zool. No. 41, of Home, Phil. 

 Trans. 1809, and of Shaw, Gen. Zool., may proceed from the dif- 

 ficulty of observing such large fishes, but cannot suffice for the esta- 

 blishment of distinct species. I do not perceive, moreover, in what 

 the Sq. elephas, Lesueur, Ac. Sc. Nat. Phil, differs from this 

 Sqnalus maximus. 



