32 RECORDS OF THK AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM, 



One of the characters of the Scylliorhinicl{i9, to which family 

 Ilemiscylliwn has been assigned, is that afforded by tlie method 

 of reproduction. Like members of the Rajidfc, these Sharks are 

 oviparous, laying angular chitinous egg-cases. 



Heyniscyllium has been shown to produce its young alive, that 

 is, to be ovoviviparous, and for a similar habit members of the 

 Rhinobatidas have been separated as a family distinct from 

 Rajidse. 



To maintain uniformity in classification, it is necessary to 

 associate Hemiscyllium and Chiloscyllium to form a new family, 

 which may be thus characterised : — 



Family Hemiscylliid^.. 



Two dorsal fins, similar, without spines, the first wholly, or in 

 part behind the ventrals. Anal fin present, behind the second 

 dorsal and more or less continuous with the caudal. Caudal 

 fin moderate or long with a basal lobe, the tail not keeled, not 

 bent upwards. Spiracles present ; no nicitating membrane ; gill- 

 openings small, the posterior ones above the root of the pectoral. 

 Mouth moderate, with several rows of small teeth with or without 

 lateral cusps. Nostrils near the snout, confluent with the mouth, 

 provided with cirri. 



Young produced alive. 



The Hemiscylliida; thus differ from the Scylliorhinidas mainly 

 by having the anal fin behind the second dorsal, and in being 

 ovoviviparous. 



The following families now constitute the Scyllioidea : — 



Scylliorhinidse oviparous. 



Ginglymostomidai 



Hemiscylliidje ovoviviparous. 



Orectolobidie ovoviviparous. 



Pseudotriakidfe 



Orectolobus barbatus, Gmelin. 



Squalus harhafus, Gmel., Syst. Nat., i., 1788, p. 1493. 



When writing the foregoing article on Hemiscyllium, it occurred 

 to me that although I was under the impression that the Wobbe- 

 gODg (Oi'ectolobus barbatiis) ])roduced living young, I had nowhere 

 seen the habit published. In order to place the matter beyond 

 doubt, I enlisted the kind services of Mr. J. A. Brodie, Chief 

 Inspector of Fisheries, who at once responding, sent to me 

 Inspector William H. Newton, in charge of the Port Hacking 

 District. This officer assured me that the Wobbegong bears its 



