CABCIIABIID.i:. 19 



inner nearly equalling one third of the outer margin. First dorsal 

 (with about 24 rays) having its base almost midway between the 

 end of the base of the pectoral and the origin of the ventral fins. 

 Second dorsal (with about fifteen rays) commencing slightly in 

 advance oF the anal; the length of its base equal to rather above 

 one half of that of the first dorsal, while it is a little larger than tbe 

 anal. Caudal fin equal to about of the total length. Colour 

 dark brown ; fins grey, the second dorsal with a dark summit. 

 Ilab. Coroinandel coast of India. 



3. Genus GALEOCERDO, Miiiler & Henle. 



Spiracles small. Nictitating membrane present. Mouth cre- 

 scentic. Teeth large, flat, triangular, and oblique, serrated on 

 both edges, and with a deep notch on the outer margin. The first 

 dorsal spineless, placed opposite the interspace between the pec- 

 toral and ventral fins ; caudal with a double notch. A pit on the 

 tail both above and below, at the base of the caudal fin. 



Sharks of this genus are much dreaded in India, the native 

 fishermen distinguishing those forms with long conical teeth 

 from others having elongated or triangular cusps with serrated 

 edges. The former can be captured by lines and even by nets; 

 but the latter immediately cut through nets and sever lines, ren- 

 dering it necessary to attach the hooks to chains. Sharks seem to 

 prefer their food a little high, and therefore the natives bury the 

 bait in the ground for a day or more before using it. It was 

 apparently a fish belonging to this genus which was referred 

 to in the Transactions of the Royal Society of Arts and Sciences 

 of Mauritius, vii. 1873. Col. Pike observed of the specimen 

 that it was 13 feet 9 inches long, and had " a terrible incident 

 connected with it. The men of M.M. steamer 'Emirne' caught it, 

 and it was exposed for sale in the bazar. When cut open, a clasp 

 knife and belt, with the bone of a man's arm, were found in it. 

 This, of course, gave rise to the most horrible surmises, especially 

 as it was rumoured that a few days previously a sailor had deserted 

 from a vessel in the harbour, and was supposed to have been 

 attacked by a shark before he could reach the shore " (p. 27). 



Geoyrcqiliicul Distribution. Seas of the Tropics, also of tempe- 

 rate and Arctic regions. 



Synopsis of Indian Species. 



Caudal tin 3 to 4 in the total length. Teeth 



denticulated, and of equal size in both jaws. 1. G. rayneri, p. 20. 

 Caudal tin 3 to 3 in the total leu<fth. Teeth 



denticulated, and rather smaller in the 



lower than in the upper jaw 2. G. tiyrinus, p. 21. 



c2 



