96 SQUALID.E. 



half-way up by a skin or web ; but not to the other. The example being a fe- 

 male, the ventral fins are unprovided with the elongated cylindrical appendage or 

 clasper on their inner edge, exhibited in Mr, Yarrell's figure, ii. 375. 



The first dorsal fin begins opposite the end of the ventral fins, and occupies the 

 space which corresponds with that between their termination and the beginning of 

 the anal fin ; being also placed exactly at the middle of the distance from the tip 

 of the muzzle to that of the tail. It is small, short, oblong, with the fore and hind 

 edges parallel, and the top obliquely truncate. 



The anal fin begins nearly opposite, or a little behind the end of the first dorsal, 

 extending thence quite to the root of the lower part of the caudal fin. It is broad, 

 or rather high, and rounded in front, thence gradually narrowing to a short point at 

 the end. Its length equals that of the head to the first branchial slit, or rather 

 more than half that of the tail. 



The second dorsal fin resembles the first in size and shape. It is placed quite at 

 the end of the back, just opposite the termination of the anal fin : both fins ending 

 at exactly opposite points. 



The front, as well as hinder edges of all these fins are thin and sharp, not broad 

 and flattened, except the hinder edges of the two dorsal fins just at the base ; 

 where they are a little thickened, smooth, and polished. 



Tail contained about three times and a half in the whole length, narrow-oblong, 

 truncate, and a little deflexed at the tip; its upper edge straight, and continuous in 

 the same line with the back ; its lower, which is thin and membranous, expanding 

 into a lobe or angle immediately beyond its origin at the tip of the anal fin, and 

 again into another, after having contracted first into a deep notch or sinus, just at 

 the tip. Above, immediately behind a point opposite the origin of its lower por- 

 tion, begins, along its broad and thickened upper edge, a most curious and elegant 

 doubly serrate scaly ridge, resembling some pattern in embroidery, and continuing 

 for two thirds of its length, when it becomes narrow, faint, and disappears ; leav- 

 ing the rest of the upper edge of the tail above, plain, sharp, and simple. This 

 keel or border is composed of a double row of imbricated, ovate, short, obtuse, 

 harsh, prickly scales ; diverging laterally, and placed alternately, like the leaves of 

 a laurel-crown in antiques. They lie flat backwards, and their hinder edges are 

 irregularly toothed. The space between the two rows is flat, shining as if varnish- 

 ed, and covered with similar, but vastly smaller, imbricated, prickly scales or 

 points, iiTegularly placed, but all directed backwards. 



The lateral line is straight as far as the end of the second dorsal or root of the 

 caudal fin, where it disappears ; recommencing lower down and further back, and 

 continuing straight to the tip of the tail. 



The skin of this Shark is somewhat rougher than usual, but is not used for 

 polishing, nor is its flesh eaten. The only part used is the liver, from which they 

 extract the oil. 



Colour grey, with a ferruginous or purplish-brown tint, becoming darker or 

 more dusky towards the back ; the sides, from the head to the end of the first dorsal 

 fin, mottled with two not very distinct rows of darker spots, intermingled and 

 confused by smaller ones irregularly placed. The larger spots forming the rows 

 are faintly ocellate or bordered with a pale ring, forming a chain. Behind the first 

 dorsal fin they grow faint and altogether disappear ; the rest of the body behind 

 being nearly uniform in colour. Belly, throat, and muzzle underneath, except 

 just round the tip of the latter, dirty white. Fins and tail uniform dusky 

 brown ; darker at the fore, and paler at the hinder edge. Iris a metallic greenish- 

 blue or glaucous. Pupil brassy-opaline. Whole inside of the mouth and the 

 tongue livid-bluish, or mottled dark-grey and white. 



The smell of this Shark was excessively and nauseously fetid. 



