257 



are generally of a dark colour, from ferruginous impregnation, Plate 

 XXIX. Fig. 5. Teeth of this figure are sometimes, but very rarely found, 

 with their surfaces covered with close longitudinal striae, and bearing a 

 very high polish. The specimen, Plate XIX. Fig. 10, is a magnified 

 representation of one of these, from a mass in which are several other 

 teeth, which, though varying considerably in their form, are all evidently 

 of the same fish, and all have similar markings. This mass was found 

 at the Old Passage, Gloucestershire, by Mr. Johnson, of Bristol, who has 

 a beautiful mass of similar teeth, but of a larger size, which he obtained 

 from Charmouth. 



In the Squalus squatina the teeth are simply pointed, with a broad base, 

 but with no lateral points ; somewhat resembling Plate XIX. Fig. 9. In 

 the Squalus maximus and glaucus the teeth have a sharp cutting edge only, 

 agreeing nearly with Plate XIX. Fig. 2. 



Spallanzani speaks of the very singular dentature of two jaws similar 

 to that of the Squalus of Messina, which, he thinks, has not been yet 

 described. These jaws were brought, with a number of exotic fishes, from 

 Holland, and appear to have belonged to a very large Squalus, but of a 

 species hitherto unknown ; at least, he says, he does not find ; teeth of a 

 similar structure described by any writer. The opening of the jaws is full 

 three feet and a half in circuit, and consequently large enough to receive 

 a man of middling size lengthwise *. 



The figures of these teeth, as given by Spallanzani, exactly agree 

 with those which are given by Scilla, as belonging to the kind of dog- 

 fish, which have obtained, in the Mediterranean, the name of Colom- 

 bina, or Vacca, and which he thinks may be, perhaps, the same fish of 

 which Aldrovandus speaks, Lib. 3, Cap. 52. Scilla gives a representa- 

 tion of the head and jaws of this fish, in which the agreement with the 

 jaws described by Spallanzani is very evident. Plate XVIII. Fig. 10, 

 is a fossil tooth of this species from rny collection, which is very small. 



* Travels in the Two Sicilies, Vol. iv. p. 370. 

 VOL. III. L L 



