SHARKS AND RAYS OF BEAUFORT, NORTH CAROLINA. 



251 



jections, corresponding to the keels, median one longest; basal margin rounded, with a slight conca\rity 

 between the keels; pedicel slender; base small, rhomboidal. 



The denticles of this species differ from those of Carcharias lauriis in beiag smaller, more uniform 

 in size, closer set, overlapping, more regular in arrangement; interspaces between keels not so deeply 

 concave, lobes on apical margin sharper, incisions between apical lobes deeper, pedicel more slender. 



This is one of the mast common sharks in the Beaufort region. From the laboratory records it 

 appears that the species is scarce or absent from the harbor during the winter moaths. The young, 28 

 to 45 cm. long, are abundant in the harbor during June and July. In the surf along the banks and on the 

 offshore fishing grounds, the species is common and the readiness with which it takes the hook renders 

 it a source of annoyance at times to the line fishermen in these places. 



From the ovary of a female ioi.6 cm. (40 inches) in length, taken in the surf on Shackelford Bank, 

 August 9, 1912, four embryos, three females and a male, 5.5 to 6 cm. in length, were taken. These were 

 attached to the yolk sac, and still posses-sed the mass of long, threadlike, external gill filaments. The 



KlG. 8. — Denticles, ScoUodi-w tcrriF-nui;_r, 62.5 cm. lon;^, from Cajx? Ixxikout, N. C. 



claspers in the male were distinct, reaching posterior margin of ventrals. In addition to the embryos, 

 the ovary contained a number of small eggs. 



The stomachs of specimens examined in June and July, 1912-13, contained hogfish, silversides, 

 Irish pompano, shrimp, the feet of mollusks, and other partly digested matter. 



Table of Lengths and Weights of these Examples. 



•> This was a female. All the others were males. 



