SHARKS. o09 



Genus Scyllium, (Cuv.) 



In this genus, belonging to the fourth of the 

 above Sub-families, we find spiracles on the temples 

 distinct, though small. There is an anal fin, as 

 well as two dorsals ; the first dorsal placed opposite 

 or behind the ventrals, the second behind the anal : 

 the head is short, and the muzzle rounded ; the 

 nostrils, pierced near the mouth, are continued 

 by a fissure in the upper lip, forming valves. The 

 teeth are small and acute, with a small point on 

 each side of the principal lobe. The caudal is 

 lengthened, oblique, irregularly lobed, and trun- 

 cate (or apparently cut short) at the tip. 



The names of Dog, Hound, Beagle, and such 

 like, commonly applied to the common Sharks of 

 this and other similar genera, are believed to have 

 reference to their habit of following their prey in 

 packs. They may have allusion also to the pre- 

 valent style of colouring in these fishes ; spots 

 of varying size, of black, brown, or liver-colour 

 profusely scattered over a light ground, often 

 clouded with brown and yellow. 



Like the rest of the Family the Dog-fishes are 

 ground feeders ; a habit indicated by the posi- 

 tion of the mouth beneath the projecting snout. 

 This habit is not at variance with the fact 

 that several species, such as the Basking, the 

 White, and the Blue Sharks, freq.uent the warm 

 surface of the sea, at certain seasons, as this 

 has reference to other requirements in their 

 economy. 



We have two British species of this genus, 

 of which the Large-spotted Dog, or Bounce 



