SHARKS 7 



Atlantic, and in the neighbourhood of Japan. Other species 

 of Seven-gilled Sharks (H . platycephalus , H. pectorosus) occur in 

 the Mediterranean, Indian Ocean, Eastern North Pacific, 

 Patagonia, Australia and New Zealand. 



Like the Griset, this shark is a fish-feeder. One species is 

 not uncommon round the North Island of New Zealand, where 

 the Maoris called it Tuatini, and are reported to have used its 

 teeth to make a saw-like instrument (Ripi or Mira tuatina) for 

 cutting human flesh. It is of some interest to note that, 

 whereas in South Australia this shark is regarded as dangerous 

 to man, in New Zealand the same species is recorded as harm- 

 less. In Japan the Perlon is known as the " Aburazame " or 

 Oil Shark, on account of the oil yielded by its liver. 



SAND SHARKS AND ELFIN SHARKS. 



(Family Odontaspid^;.) 



Sharks with a long body, flattened head, and sharp snout. 

 There is no third eyelid, and no grooves connecting the mouth 

 with the nostrils. The mouth is large and crescent-shaped, 

 and lies below the snout. The teeth are large, long, slender, 

 and roughly awl-shaped, with smooth edges ; most teeth have 

 i or 2 small points at the base on either side of the main cusp 

 (Fig. 59). The spiracles are small. The external gill-clefts 

 are 5 in number on each side, and are all placed in front of 

 the pectoral fins. There are 2 dorsal fins, which are nearly 

 equal in size and without spines, and 1 anal fin. The tail is 

 not provided with a keel, is long and flattened, and is 

 asymmetrical in shape. 



These sharks are found in nearly all warm seas, and are 

 believed to be viviparous. Fossil remains date back to the 

 Cretaceous period. 



SAND SHARKS OR SLENDER-TOOTHED SHARKS. 



(Genus Odontaspis.) Fig. 9. 



The snout is short, and the mouth is capable of being 

 protruded only to a moderate extent. The dorsal, anal and 

 pelvic fins are all nearly equal in size. There is a pit at the 



