STUDIKS IN AUSTRALIAN SHARKS — WAITE. 227 



origin to be beneath the middle of the second dorsal while Dr. 

 Oiinther describes it as being ojDposite to that fin. 



This shark is locally known as the "Whaler," and the following 

 account is by the late Mr. Edward 8. Hill,-^ written over thirty 

 years ago, when the species seems to have been commoner tliaii 

 now. 



'•This shark attains only in its adult state to the length of 

 five or six feet ; the mouth is of a crescent shape, armed under- 

 neath and around with three or four rows of sharp teeth, and the 

 point of the nose is almost of a transparent substance ; it is gre- 

 garious, and may be caught on a moonliglit night, in the early 

 part of the year, by the score, provided you have good tackle. 



A boat was in search of the mullet one fine night, just north of 

 the .Sydney Heads, with a long and strong net, when the crew of 

 fishermen saw what to them appeared a fine school, and shot 

 round it ; Ijut, to their astonishment it was whalers, and tliey 

 succeeded in hauling over one hundred and fifty of these sharks, 

 averaging about five feet long. 



In strong tide rips like that of Port Stephens, at the Spit in 

 Middle Harbour, or on the shallows near the Sow and Pigs and 

 off Heeny's Head in Botany, they are troublesome, and will bite 

 off as many hooks as 3'ou please ; they afford good sport when you 

 ai'e inclined that way and have good lines and hooks. 



At Middle Harljour we were ^■ery successful wlien we went on 

 purpose to fish for these sharks ; then we had hooks protected 

 with wire, and of a good size. The female when caught was fre- 

 quently opened, to examine the ovaries and count the young- 

 sharks attached to the outside of each egg by the umbilical cord. 

 Tliese were three or four inches long, and the moment they were 

 liberated would swim about and become a prey to the others. 



The whaler at this season, and in such position, will take a Ijait 

 of any kind pretty well, even in day-time, and pull tolerably 

 strong, and depend on the sharp teeth to cut the line whenever 

 they please. It is curious and interesting to see their manteuvres, 

 endeavouring to get free when they are secured with good tackle. 

 First they will run ; then they will get their shoulder towards 

 the line, so that they might cut it across with the corner of their 

 mouth ; this failing they will then have recourse to rolling, to try 

 their main strength. However, as you continue to haul them in, 

 they will unroll, and try every dodge to get loose, till a blow with 



2 mn—Si/diiej/ Moil, 187-i. 



