2QI2 



SHARKS AND RAYS 



True Saw- 

 fishes 



in the small development of the prepalatine cartilages. The teeth of 

 the saw are firmly implanted in distinct sockets of calcified cartilage, 

 while those in the jaws are minute and blunt. The wide spiracles are 

 situated behind the eyes; the dorsal fins are without spines, the first being placed 

 above or near to the line of the base of the pelvic pair; and the large caudal fin may 

 or may not have a distinct lower lobe. The saw consists internally of three, or 



ANGEI. FISH. 

 (One-twelfth natural size.) 



sometimes five, hollow calcified cartilages, in the form of long tapering tubes, placed 

 side by side, and held together by integument, which is likewise more or less hard- 

 ened by the deposition of calcareous matter. Several existing species of the genus 

 have been described, which are most abundant in the tropical seas, and some of 

 which are distinguished by the shape of the caudal fin, and the number of pairs of 

 teeth in the saw. These fishes not uncommonly grow to twenty feet in length, but 



