CLASS V. PISCES: ORDER 1, SELACHIA. 



425 





THE SHAKK. 



and sometimes marked with scattered spines or minute grains over the whole body. The 

 branchiae are distinguished from those of other fishes by their structure, being arranged so as to 

 allow the water used in respiration to pass off thi'ough separate external apertures. Most of 

 the species produce living j^oung, which are developed in an enlarged portion of the oviduct. 

 All are generally of large size, and are inhabitants of tlie sea, though several species frequent 

 the estuaries formed by large rivers. We shall notice them under the heads of Chimceridai^ 

 Squalidce, and RaiidcB. 



THE CHIM^EID^. 



Genus CHIMERA : Chimcera. — These animals have some resemblance to the sturgeons ; they 

 have two dorsal fins, the anterior one being situated over the two powerful pectoral fins ; the anal 



fin is long and narrow, and the tail 

 heterocercal. The best known spe- 

 cies is the Northern Chimera or 

 Sea-Cat, C. monsfrosa, sometimes 

 called ICinff of the Herrings. It is 

 three to four feet long, of a silvery 

 color, spotted with brown ; feeds 

 on herrings, the shoals of which it 

 follows, and also on other fish, 

 medusae, and Crustacea. It is found in the European seas, and occasionally on the British coast. 

 Vol. II.— 54 



THE 8EA-CAT. 



