DOGFISH. 151 



DOGFISH The Western Dogfish (Acanthius 

 Suckleyi), Grd., Proc. Acad., Nat. Sc. Phil., vii. 

 1854. Sp. Ch. : Head contained in a sixth of 

 the entire length; snout blunt, nostrils near to 

 its apex. Eye large and bright, sea-green in the 

 newly-taken fish. Anterior margin of the first 

 dorsal, midway betwixt the pupil and anterior 

 margin of the second dorsal. Colour reddish 

 brown, above thickly spotted with white, over- 

 spread with bronze reflections. 



This most predaceous race of sharks, although 

 they never grow to a size dangerous to man, are 

 nevertheless most bloodthirsty and implacable 

 enemies to all the finny tribes inhabiting the 

 waters of the North -west. They appear to live 

 everywhere, in every harbour, up the long inland 

 canals, in the lagoons, and nearly as far as the 

 tide flows; the dogfish is ever to be found up 

 the tidal rivers. Hunting in packs like wolves, 

 they often chase a shoal of fish upon the shingle, 

 then bite and maim six times as many as they 

 can possibly eat. I have often seen them seize 

 dead and even wounded birds, drag them below 

 the surface, and tear them into shreds. 



Angling where there are dogfish, and it is hard 

 to discover a spot where they are not plentiful, is 

 simply to waste time, and lose one's temper; your 



