47 



MUSTELUS. 



This genus resembles Galeus in the shape of the body and the pos- 

 session of spiracles; but in addition the teeth are absolutely flat, 

 without points. 



SMOOTH HOUND. 



RAY-MOUTHED DOG. SKATE-TOOTHED SHARK. 



SqiKdiis mustelus, Linn^us. 



Mustelus IcBvis, Jonston, p. 26. Willoughby, p. (50, 



Tab. B. 5. 



" CuviER. Fleming's Br. An., p. 166. 



" Yareell ; British Fishes, vol. ii, p. 512. 



" vulgaris, Gray; Cat. Br. Museum, p. 127. 



" " Jenyns; Manual, p. 502. 



Squale Emissole, Lacepede and Risso; Icthy., p. 33. 



« 



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The Smooth Hound is common, but not abundant, in the 

 west and south of the kingdom in summer; and it has been 

 sometimes taken in Scotland. Ahhough I have known it caught 

 in February and March, it is not usually within the reach of 

 our fishermen until the beginning of May or June; and that 

 they have come from a considerable distance is rendered pro- 

 bable from the kind of hooks sometimes found in them, and 

 which they have separated from the line. These hooks have 

 been formed with scarcely anything besides a bend or bow 

 and a very short shaft; such as our fishermen suppose to be 

 in use on the coast of Spain. 



It seems to be less prolific than the generality of Sharks. 

 In the month of November I have found it with eleven young 

 ones just ready for exclusion, and all of one size, without 



