200 



THE SMOOTH HOUND. 



The Toi)e is commoner towards the southern than the northern coast, but wherever 

 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 injurious to the fish- 

 ing 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 

 the 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 



PICKED DOGFISH AND SMOOTH HOIIND.— ^canttjas milgm-U et Mvstelus mlgarie. 



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. 



Tope {OaleorMnus galeus). The common name of this Shark is local in the tropical 

 countries. Penny Dog and Miller's Dog are names applied to it in Europe. It is one of 

 the species that brings its young forth alive. They are bom in May, and the brood is said to 

 be thirty in number. San Francisco is recorded as one locality it inhabits. It seems to be the 

 only species yet known in America. 



The prettily marked and curiously toothed Smooth Hound is also knowTi under the titles 

 of Skate-toothed Shark and Ray-toothed Dog, the two latter titles being appropriately 



