MODEL OF THE GOBLIN SHARK. 



A LIFE-SIZE model of a very rare and 

 remarkable Shark from Japanese 

 waters, a photograph of which is 

 show^n on this page, has recently been 

 finished for exhibition in the Museum. 

 The model well represents some of the ani- 

 mal's peculiar anatomical features, the 

 most striking of which is the "rostrum," 

 a paddle-shaped affair, richly supplied with 

 blood-vessels and nerves, which projects 

 forward from above the mouth and is 

 probably used to feel about on the sea- 

 bottom for prey. The long tapering body 

 with extremely powerful ' tail indicates an 

 adaptation for great speed. In life the 

 shark is somewhat translucent and presents 

 a peculiarly ghost-like appearance as it 

 darts through the water. The alcoholic 

 specimen from which the model was made is 

 in the Museum collection and has been con- 

 stituted the type of a new species (Scapatio- 

 rhynchus jordani) recently described in the 

 Museum "Bulletin" by Dr. L. Hussakof. 

 The model was prepared by Mr. Dwight 

 Franklin, under the direction of Mr. R. W. 

 Miner, and is four feet five inches long. 



Dr. L. Hussakof, Assistant Curator of 

 Fossil Fishes, went to Europe in April to 

 make a study of the icthyological collections 

 of the leading museums. The last few 

 weeks of his stay will be spent at the zoolog- 

 ical station at Naples. 



THE GOBLIN SHARK. 



