255 

 FISHES. 



ORDER, CHONDROPTERYGII. 



THE LUMINOUS SHARK. 

 (Squalus Fulgens, N. Sp.) 



THERE are so few well-authenticated instances of a 

 phosphorescent power existing in fish, as an attribute 

 of life, that it is with some surprise we find this pe- 

 culiarity inherent in the shark, a family so generally 

 well known and described. The Squalus which I have 

 to notice, is, however, a nondescript species, and one 

 that certainly possesses a luminous power in a very 

 high degree. 



Two examples of this fish were accidentally taken, 

 at different periods of the voyage, by a net, towing on 

 the surface of the sea. The first was obtained in lat. 

 2 S., long. 163 W., and was ten inches in length. It 

 was captured in the day-time, and, consequently, al- 

 though its novel appearance attracted my attention, 

 its phosphorescent power was not then noticed. The 

 second specimen was taken at night, in lat. 55 N., 

 long. 110 W. Its entire length was lfoot. Both fishes 

 were alive when taken on board. They fought fiercely 

 with their jaws, and had torn the net in several 

 places. 



The form and structure of this shark is peculiar, 

 and would denote that it is a species of the sub-genus 

 Scymnus : the body is cylindrical, rather slender, and 

 tapers finely at the tail. Its prevailing colour is dusky- 

 brown ; a broad black band, or collar, passes across 

 the throat ; and the fins are partially margined with 

 white. The skin is rough, as is usual with the shark 



