Zoology.-] NATURAL HISTORY OF VICTORIA. [Fishes. 



Serratures, about 10 in 6 lines, closer near point, slightly irregular. 



Reference. — (Miiller and Henle) Plag-iost. p. 70 = Carcharodon lamia 

 (Bonap.) F. I. = Carcharias verus (Ag.) Poiss. Foss. vol. 3, p. 91, t. F. fig-. Sj ? = 

 Carcharodon Capensis (Smith) Zool. S. Africa, Pisces t. 4.* 



This gigantic Shark is Ijy ftir the largest and most formidable of 

 those approaching our shores, one specimen in the Museum being 

 thirteen feet three inches long, and another between fifteen and 

 sixteen feet long, and some having been killed upwards of thirty 

 feet long. Our two specimens were caught, one in July, 1873, and 

 one in April, 1877, in Hobson's Bay, near Brighton. The larger 

 had been observed for several days swimming round the ladies' 

 l)aths, looking in through the picket fence in such a disagreeal)le 

 manner that the station master had a strong hook and iron chain 

 made so as to keep the rope out of reach of his teeth, and this, 

 being baited with a large piece of ^^ork, made to look as much like 

 a piece of a lady as possible, was swallowed greedily ; and then, 

 with the aid of a crowd of helpers, the monster was got on shore. 

 On opening the stomach, amongst a load of partially digested 

 objects, a large Newfoundland dog was found, with his collar on, 

 identifying him as one lost the day before, no doubt swallowed 



* Dr. Smith's figarc of his C. Capensis must be b.aii, as it shows no an.il fin, and I am doubtful whether the other 

 differences between his tl^urc and mine may be errors also, or whether, consequently, his species be a peculiar new one, 

 or referable to this old one. 



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