148 BULLETIN 10 0, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



Gymnorhinus (not Maximillian, 1841, in birds) Hilgendobf, Symbol. Phys. 



Hemprich-Ehrenberg, p. 8, 1899. (Type, Carcharias (Prionodon) menisorraJi 



Miiller and Henle.) 

 Mapolamia Whitlet, Mem. Queensland Mus., vol. 10, pt. 4, pp. 185, 188, 1934. 



(Type, Carcharias melanopterus Quoy and Gaimard, orthotypic. ) 

 GiUisqualus Whitley, Mem. Queensland Mus., vol. 10, pt. 4, pp.185, 189, 1934. 



(Type, Carcharinus amblyrhynchos Ogilhy— Carcharias (Prionodon) ambly- 



rhyfwhos Bleeker, monotypic. ) 

 Oaleolamnoides Whitley, Mem. Queensland Mus., vol. 10, pt. 4, pp. 185, 191, 



1934. (Type, Carcharias macrurus Ramsay and Ogilby, orthotypic.) 



Body robust. Head depressed, wide. Snout produced in front. 

 Eyes with well-developed nictitating membranes. Mouth inferior, 

 curved forward, labial folds rudimentary or short. Teeth com- 

 pressed, subtriangular, with single large sharp cusp, strongly ser- 

 rated with age though less so in young; upper teeth broad or narrow, 

 lower narrow, straight, nearly erect. Nostrils inferior, separated from 

 mouth and from one another. No spiracle. Embryo attached to 

 uterus by placenta. First dorsal large, not far behind pectorals. 

 Second dorsal small. Caudal with vertebral axis moderately ele- 

 vated, subcaudal lobe produced. Caudal with pits at root. Pectoral 

 falcate. 



Temperate and tropical seas, some species ascending fresh waters 

 or even residing in them. 



"These species are commonly seen slowly following the vessel in 

 fine weather and light winds, especially when the salt meat for daily 

 consumption is towed behind the ship, as is the general custom, in a 

 sort of keg, to be soaked. The Shark is then seen cruising about, 

 with dorsal fin projecting above the surface, and as soon as anything 

 is thrown into the water, it is at once pounced upon by the fish. 

 Bits of wood and other inedible substances are readily seized, but 

 soon discarded. The Shark is consequently an easy catch, but the 

 hook should be of suitable thickness, the line strong and furnished 

 with some iron links next the hook to prevent it from being bitten 

 off. These fishes do not disdain any animal substance or filth. In 

 securing any floating object, they open their jaws over it quite 

 leisurely and raise the whole head above the surface, the mouth being 

 situated on the ventral side; but upon objects that sink in the water 

 they dart with great rapidity. In taking a baited hook, the Shark 

 turns upon its side or completely over, with the belly upwards, as the 

 snout would else come in contact with the line and push the bait 

 away. When the wind is at all high, these Sharks are never seen, 

 presumably because they are sluggish swimmers and cannot keep up 

 with the vessel. In all their actions they greatly resemble a hungry 

 dog or wolf prowling in quest of food; hence the names chien de 

 mer, grand chien bleu, etc., which are conferred upon them in several 

 languages. Most frequently these Sharks are attended by a little 



