98 NEW SOUTH WALES 



The Saw-shark. 



The saw-shark must not he confounded with saw-fish, as then- gill- 

 openings are lateral not underneath. The snout is armed with an 

 exceedingly long, fl.at lamina, with a series of strong teeth along each 

 edge at right angles. From the position in which these teeth are placed 

 it is problematical whether they obtain their prey by piercing or spitting 

 with the point. " It is moi*e likely that a sharp IjIow sideways would 

 do greater damage in helping them to secure any living object. These 

 saw-sharks were in great numbers on the coast about ten or twelve years 

 back, and did great damage to the fishermen's lines. Although they 

 might have been on this coast in their season for ages, still at that time 

 they appear to have created some sensation, as they were much spoken 

 of. In the north part of this island they are numerous, but I have not 

 heard of any of large size." — E.S.H. 



The Angel-fish. 



The Angel-fish is Rhina squatina of Linna3us, quite identical with 

 the British species, though as Professor M'Coy remarks from its low 

 poAver of swimming and habit of keeping on the bottom it is diflicult to 

 see how it could have spread over the area it occupies, or cross the 

 immense depths of the ocean. It is very voracious, eating fish and 

 mollusca, though never attaining anything above 5 feet in length. An 

 excellent figure of this fish is given in Professor M'Coy's " Prodromus 

 of tlie Zoology of Victoria," Part 4, Plate 34. 



