508 PISCES (CARTILAG.) PLAGIOSTOMI. [SQUATINA. 



teeth numerous, in five rows above and below, broad at the base, each 

 terminating: upwards in a sharp slender point: nostrils almost at the 

 margin of the upper lip, covered by a membrane terminating in two fila- 

 ments; between the nostrils the snout is slightly notched: eyes on the 

 upper part of the head, very small, not half the size of the large temporal 

 orifices, which last are of a lunulate form, the horns of the crescent being 

 directed backwards: branchial openings rather small, situate on each 

 side of the neck, between the head and the trunk: skin very rough, 

 covered with numerous small prickly tubercles ; some larger tubercles 

 of a similar nature above the eyes, and along the mesial line of the back : 

 two dorsals, placed very much behind on the upper part of the tail ; both 

 small, and nearly of the same size : caudal large, obliquely bifurcated, 

 the upper lobe being a little the longest : no anal : pectorals very large, 

 attached horizontally, broadest at their posterior margin, projecting for- 

 wards on each side of the neck in the form of an acute shoulder : vent- 

 rals of a somewhat similar form, but smaller. Obs. Cuvier and Fleming 

 describe this species as having the pectorals armed with short curved 

 spines near their margins. In the few specimens which I have examined 

 they were not present. Probably, as in the family of the Rays, they 

 are merely a sexual character. (Colours.) Upper parts more or less deep 

 gray : lower parts dirty white. 



A common and very voracious species, preying upon other fish. Keeps 

 near the bottom. Attains to a large size. Pennant mentions having seen 

 them of near an hundred weight. According to Bloch, produces in the 

 Spring and Autumn from seven to eight young. On some parts of the 

 coast is called a Monk-Fish ; on others, a Kingstone. 



(41.) Lewis, Couch in Linn. Trans, vol. xiv. p. 90. 



Under the above name, Mr. Couch notices a fish, which he states is not 

 unfrequently taken with a line on the coast of Cornwall, and which bears 

 some resemblance to the Squatina Angeius, but which he seems disposed 

 to consider as a distinct species. The following is his description : 



" Somewhat smaller than the Monk. Head large, flat, the jaws of equal 

 length, forming a wide mouth ; the upper jaw falls in somewhat at the 

 middle, so that at this part the lower jaw seems a little the longest ; both 

 are armed with several rows of sharp teeth ; the tongue is small. The 

 head is joined to the body by something which resembles a neck ; the 

 body is flat so far back as the ventral fins, beyond these it is round : the 

 pectoral and ventral fins are very large ; the former are flat, and both have 

 near their extremities a number of spines. The two dorsal fins are placed 

 far behind : the lobes of the tail are equal and lunated. There are five 

 spiracula: the eyes are very small, and the nictitating membrane, which 

 is of the colour of the common skin, contracts over the eye, leaving a linear 

 pupil. The body is slightly rough, of a sandy brown colour : the under 

 parts white. It is about five feet long, and keeps near the bottom." 



Judging from the above description, I must confess I hardly see in what 

 respects it differs from the last species. 



(6.) PRISTIS, Lath. 



(42.) P. antiquorum, Lath, in Linn. Trans, vol. n. p. 277. pi. 2G. 

 f. 1. (Rostrum.) Cuv. Reg. An. torn. H. p. 395. Squalus Pristis y 

 Linn. Syst. Nat. torn. i. p. 401. Pristibatis antiquorum, Blainv. 

 Faun. Franc,, p. 50. 



According to the late Dr. Walker*, this species has been found some- 

 limes in Loch Long. It does not appear, however, to have been noticed 



* On the authority of Dr. Fleming. Sec Aril. An. p. 164. 



