90 



LXXa-SCYLLIIDffi. 



GINGLYMOSTOMA, Mueller & Henle. 

 G, cirratuni. 



Southern Nurse Shark. 



This peculiar Shark has somewhat the shape of a Cat-fish; 

 it has two dorsal fins, without spines ; the first is situated 

 above the ventrals ; the second somewhat in advance of the 

 anal. The eyes are very small, and behind them the minute 

 spiracles. Nasal and buccal cavities confluent. The nasal 

 valves of both sides form one quadrangular flap in front of 

 the mouth, each being provided with a free cylindrical cirrhus, 

 which reaches the lower lip. An upper and lower lip, the 

 latter not extending across the symphysis. The fourth and 

 fifth gill openings close together. Teeth of both jaws in 

 many series, small, each with a strong median cusp, and one 

 or two much smaller cusps on each side. The angles of the 

 dorsal, anal, and pectoral fins obtusely rounded. Length of 

 the caudal fin one-third, and in young specimens two* sevenths 

 of the total length. Uniform brownish ; young specimens 

 with scattered small, round, black spots. Length, 3 to 8 feet ; 

 that of captured specimen about 3 feet. 



Squalus cirratus, Gm. L, I, p. 1492 ; Lacep. I, p. 245. 

 Ginglymosioma cirratum, Mueller & Henle, p. 23. 

 — fidvum, Poey, Mem. Cub. II, p. 342, and Eepert. Fis. 

 nat. Cub. 1868, p, 455. 



Only one specimen of this curious fish, the first one 

 recorded as being caught on the coast of the United States, 

 was obtained in the southern part of the Chesapeake Bay ; 

 the usual habitat of this Shark is the Atlantic coast of South 

 America. Its peculiar shape is well adapted for its mode of 

 live, that of a mud-fish. 



