Sturgeon, Migration; Hammer-headed Shark. 157 



measuring 7 ft. 6 in. in length, 17th April, 1868 (Zool., 1868). 

 Many Thames fish of 5, 6 and 7 feet have been noted at 

 various times. Two Leigh Avhitebaiters say they have come 

 across small sturgeon-looking fish which others called sterlet ; 

 but their meagre account J eaves the matter in doubt. 



As to their migrations, they seem most often to go right up 

 the rivers during early summer to autumn, some being in 

 spawning condition. Hence the estuary trawlers seldom come 

 across them. What they feed on in our waters is not certain, 

 the stomach being often empty, though minute crustaceans 

 have been found. In captivity they freely eat lobworms. The 

 finding of diminutive fish made Dr. Bree inquire whether they 

 bred in our rivers rather than migrate from the Danube. As 

 they are found in the North Sea, Elbe and Baltic, the presence 

 of young with us receives easier solution. Fishmongers make 

 a show of Sturgeon ; how few have tasted their flesh. Truly the 

 taste of the populace has altered since Kings and Aldermen 

 gloated over Sturgeon and Porpoise. Valuable indeed are the 

 Sturgeon fisheries of Russia, their great home. As sole living 

 representatives of the thick armour-clad Ganoid Order of fishes 

 in our country, with shark-like tail, sucker for mouth and 

 gristly spine, they are well worthy of inspection. 



The Shark and Ray groups (Plagiostomata). Although 

 some families in these groups are met with at times in numbers 

 within our Committee's District, yet neither group, as a whole, 

 yields so much, in a mercantile sense, as might be anticipated 

 from the amount of catch. Several of the Sharks are but rare 

 visitors, and the Rays are seldom got in such profusion as per- 

 manently to engage the attention of the fishermen with profit. 

 Still the Dungeness, Folkestone and Margate fishermen make 

 good hauls in the summer months. 



The Sharks. Among these strange forms suffice first to 

 mention the remarkable 



(1) HAMMER-HEADED SHARK (Zygcena malleus) which was 

 captured by the Dover fishermen in that neighbourhood in 



