THE SMALL-SPOTTED DOG-FISH. 400 



male is characterized by having tlie ventrals larger tliau in the other sex , 

 and united throughout their length by an intermediate membrane : 

 they are also furnished on their inner margins with fusiform appen- 

 dages, not extending beyond the fin, in young subjects, but lengthen- 

 ing in adults; in the female, the ventrals have the last third portions 

 of their inner margins separate." (Jenyns.) 



The Spotted Dog-Fisli and the Lesser-Spotted Dog-Fish 

 of Pennant, appear to be both the same species, differing 

 only in sexual variety ; but whether they are the same as 

 the one here described, or the one next to be noticed, is a 

 question not easily determined, in consequence of Pennant 

 having omitted the essential characters by which the two 

 species are distinguished. We are indebted, however, to 

 Mr Jenyns, in his excellent work on the British Vertebrate 

 Animals, for first clearly pointing out the true specific dis- 

 tinctions in the two species of Spotted Dog-Fish (S. caninila 

 and S. catulus), which principally rest on the fonruiticni of 

 the nasal valves, as will be shewn when speaking of S. catu- 

 lus. 



The Small-Spotted Dog-Fish is generally considered a 

 comrnqn species throughout the British coast, but is found 

 in greater numbers on the southern shores of England than 

 on those shores farther north. In the Firth of Forth it 

 is comparatively rare, making its appearance generally in 

 the month of June, when a few are captured in the salmon- 

 nets at Musselburgh and Queensferry. On the coast of 

 Devon it is taken mostly in the trawl-net and occasionally 

 with the hook. 



It is a voracious feeder, and subsists principally on small 

 fishes. The skin of this and of the other species of Shark, is 

 much used in the arts for various purposes ; the finel* parts 

 being used by cabinetmakers as a substitute for glass-jjapcr, 

 anil turners employ it for polishing wood 'IMie Hesli is 

 coarse, and seldom used as food. 



