26 WHITE SHARK. 



the "Annual Register," for 1785, quoted in "Loudon's Mag- 

 azine of Natural History," vol. vii, it is said that in September 

 of that year, vast numbers of the "West India Shark appeared 

 in the Channel, and many of them were taken by fishermen 

 of Brighton, The example presently to be described, and of 

 which we give a figure, was of small size, and measured no 

 more than fifty-foru- inches in length; but several others have 

 been seen in ^Mount's Bay in Cornwall, of much larger size; 

 and one, which was seen by a gentleman who had often ob- 

 served the White Shark in the West Indies, and was pronounced 

 by him to be of the same species, measured about twenty feet 

 in length. 



It appears necessary to make those remarks on the identity 

 of the species, since the Great AVhitc Shark of the West 

 Indies is said not to be furnished with a spiracle behind the 

 eye; whereas in the description of our example it will be per- 

 ceived that this organ existed, although it was of such small size 

 as to be easily- overlooked. This circumstance would transfer 

 the species to the next following genus Galeus; of which no 

 other British species is known beside the common Toper. But 

 I prefer to let it remain in this place, at least until it is 

 ' ascertained whether or not there is another species without a 

 minute spiracle; and consequently whether or not naturalists 

 are in error in that respect. 



Laid by the side of a Toper of the same length the difference 

 was conspicuous, even at first sight, although the likeness was 

 sufficiently near to bear a comparison. A well-marked distinction 

 is in the eye, which stands out prominently, exceeding that of 

 the Blue Shark in this respect, while in the Toper it is slightly 

 below the level. The spiracle is very small, and barely 

 on a level with the surface, where in the Toper there is a 

 depression. The snout of the latter fish has the appearance of 

 being longer, through the great thickness of the head, and 

 prominency of the eye of our White Shark; the snout of which 

 is also substantially tliicker, and consequently less fiat. It is 

 especially sunk in at the nostrils, where the Toper is much 

 less so, and its nostrils are less open. Teeth notched on both 

 edges; pectoral fins longer; the body thicker throughout, 

 especially from the abdominal fins to the tail. From the second 

 dorsal to the tail, where the Toper is round, there is a cavity 



