FAMILY SQUALID.E — SQUATINA. 363 
wa ybetween the first and second dorsals, with a narrow pointed tip behind. Anal somewhat 
larger, but similar in shape to the second dorsal, rather more excavated on its posterior mar- 
gin. Caudal equal in length to the transverse diameter of the head; the lower lobe short; 
the upper with a small triangular lobe near its tip. 
Color. Uniform dusky grey, with a very slight tinge of reddish brown ; cinereous beneath. 
Length, 25°0; of the head 2°0; width of ditto, 6°5. Height of first dorsal, 2°5, 
This was captured in September, in a seine, in the harbor of New-York, in company with 
several others. I have seen them in Hellgate four feet long. Dr. Mitchill notices three which 
were taken in 1805, at Riverhead, Suffolk county, in anet. The largest was eleven feet 
long; and on opening him, many detached parts of a man, together with his clothing, were 
found in his stomach. 
It is popularly termed Shovel-nose, and Hammer-head, by our fishermen, and is much 
dreaded for its boldness and ferocity. The existence of the S. tzburo on our coast, as yet 
rests upon very doubtful authority. ; 
The Hammer-headed Shark is found on both sides of the Atlantic. It ranges on the 
American coast from Brazil to the shores of Nantucket, south of Cape Cod, which is the 
most extreme northern limit yet recorded. 
GENUS SQUATINA. Dumeril. 
Body broad, flattened horizontally. Pectorals very wide, extending forward, but separated 
from the head by a cleft in which are placed the branchial apertures. Head round. Eyes 
above. Mouth vertical. Noanal. Both dorsals behind the ventrals. Temporal orifices. 
Oss. This genus forms, by its compressed figure, dilated pectorals and other particulars, a 
natural passage to the succeeding family. ‘Some recent systematic writers have in fact made 
it the representative of a distinct group in that family ; but, as we think, with little propriety. 
THE AMERICAN ANGEL-FISH. 
SQUATINA DUMERILI. 
PLATE LXII. FIG. 203. 
Squatina dumerili,, Lesurvr, Jour. Acad, Nat. Sciences, Vol. 2; p.. 225, pl. 10, 
Characteristics. Head bordered on each side by a white membrane. Abdomen, throat and 
ventral fins marked by red spots. Nostrils with a broad ciliated skin on 
each side. Length three to four feet. 
« 
Description. Body flattened, broad, and elevated towards the pectorals. Tail attenuated 
and sharp-edged. Head wider than long, obtuse, emarginated in front between the nostrils, 
depressed above and between the eyes. Neck rather tumid and distinct. Eyes small; orbit 
elevated, and furnished with blunt tubercles; similar ones above the nostrils and between the 
