F- 



FAIIILT SQUALID^. 361 



GENUS SCYMNUS. Cuvier. 



Teeth in two or more rows ; in the upper jaw lanceolate, with the cutting edges rough ; in 

 the lower jaw pyramidal, compressed, and with the cutting edges crenated. Temporal 

 orifices. Anal wanting. No spines before the dorsal fin. 



Obs. I refer to this genus, a species of Shark described by Lesueur, on the coast of Mas- 

 sachusetts, and referred to an illy constructed genus Somniostts. 



THE NURSE. 



SCTMNUS BHEVIPINNl. 



PLATE LXI. FIG. 202. 



Samniosus brevipinna^ T^urse or Sleeper. Lesueur, Jour. Acad. Nat, Sc. Vol. 1, p. 222, plate. 

 <$. id. Stobeb, Massachusetts Report, p. 189. 



Characteristics. Fins exceedingly small. Lateral line black, undulating near the head, and 

 marked by small transverse hnes. Length six feet and a half. 



Description. " Body elongated, with a slight elevation, and narrow at the tail. Spiracles 

 " distant from the eyes, and more elevated. Eyes small, round, and situated laterally. Snout 

 " short, obtuse. Branchial apertures small, and anterior to the pectorals. Pectoral fins larger 

 " than the others, except the caudal ; four inches at the base, and at most five inches long. 



" Teeth . The first dorsal midway between the pectoral and anal [ventral ?] fins ; the 



" second a little farther than the ventrals and both very near the tail. Skin rough, beset with 

 " triangular, curved, striated and pointed asperities. Color, of the entire body, pale lead grey, 

 " somewhat darker on the back." 



This very brief and unsatisfactory notice by Lesueur, indicates a new form among the 

 Squalidae, hitherto unobserved on our coast. It occurred at Marblehead on the coast of 

 Massachusetts, and it is inserted here with a view of directing the attention of our naturahsts 

 to the subject. At Marblehead, the fishermen, according to Mr. Lesueur, call it Nurse, and 

 Sleeper ; doubtless, he adds, from its inactive or sluggish habits. 



Fauna — Part 4. 46 



