297 



XXYIII. FAMILY OF THE SHARKS. 

 SQUALID^). 



Representatives in British Fauna. Gen. 12, Sp. 15. 



Gen. 105. SCYLLIUM. Sp. 217. S. canicula. Small-spotted Dog- 

 fish. 



218. S. Catulus. Large-spotted do. 



219. S.melanosto- Black-mouthed do. 



From the large size of many of the species, and 

 their peculiar habits, this family is one of the most 

 conspicuous and remarkable in the whole class of 

 fishes. They are the most perfectly organised of all 

 the cartilaginous fishes, in several instances of gigan- 

 tic forms, and from their voracity, which is prover- 

 bial, they are the dread of those who frequent 

 tropical seas. The larger kinds are but seldom met 

 with on the British coasts, but they abound within 



