20S 



THE TOPE. 



Several species of Hammer-headed Sharks are known, among which the Heart- 

 headed Shark (Sphyrnias Tiburo), has the best developed head, and the Broad-headed 

 Shark (Sphyrnias Idticeps) the most so. Another species, the Tudes (Sphyrnias Tudes), 

 thought to inhabit the Mediterranean, and the shores of Southern America, is inter- 

 mediate between the two extremes. 



The general color of this species is grayish brown above, and grayish white below. 



THE destructive and voracious fish, which is indiscriminately known by the names 

 of TOPE, PENNY DOG, or MILLER'S DOG, according to the particular coast near which 

 it is found, is another familiar British representative of that great shark family, from 

 whose larger developments we are in this favored country happily free. 



TOPE. Qaleus caais. 



SMOOTH MOUND. Mustelus vulgarls. 



The Tope is commoner towards the southern than the northern coasts, but wher- 

 ever it is found, it is an intolerable nuisance, behaving itself much after the example 

 set by the blue shark, and being, in proportion to its dimensions, quite as in- 

 jurious to the fishing interest. Like the last-mentioned species, it produces living 

 young, the number of a single family being about thirty. They are born in May and 

 June, and mostly remain on our coasts through their first winter, not retiring into deep 

 water till they have entered their second year. 



Like the blue shark, the Tope is fond of robbing the fishermen's hooks, and will in 

 like manner endeavor to free itself when hooked, biting through the line, or rolling 

 round with such rapidity that it winds the long cord about its body into tangled knots. 

 The upper surface of the Tope is slaty gray, becoming lighter towards the abdomen, 

 which is nearly white. 



