FAMILY SQUALIDiE. 361 



GENUS SCYMNUS. Cuvier. 



Teeth in two or more rows ; in the upper jaio lanceolate, with the cutting edges rough ; in 

 the lower jaw pyramidal, compressed, and ivith the cutting edges crenated. Temporal 

 orifices. Anal wanting. No spines before the dorsal fin. 



Obs. I refer to this genus, a species of Sliark described by Lesueur, on the coast of Mas- 

 sachusetts, and referred to an illy constructed genus So7nniosus. 



THE NURSE. 



ScTMNUS BREVIFINNA. 



PLATE LXI. FIG. 202. 



Somniosus hm^ipinna, Nurse or SkeptT. Lesueur, Jour. Acad. Nat. Sc. Vol. 1, p. 222, plate. 

 S. id. Storer, Massachusetts Report, p. 189. 



Characteristics. Fins exceedingly small. Lateral line black, undulating near the head, and 

 marked by small transverse lines. Length si.x^ feet and a half. 



Description. " Body elongated, with a slight elevation, and narrow at the tail. Spiracles 

 " distant from the eyes, and more elevated. Eyes small, round, and situated laterally. Snout 

 " short, obtuse. Branchial apertures small, and anterior to the pectorals. Pectoral fins larger 

 " than the others, except the caudal ; four inches at the base, and at most five inches long. 



" Teeth . The first dorsal midway between the pectoral and anal [ventral ?] fins ; the 



" second a little farther than the ventrals and both very near the tail. Skin rough, beset with 

 " triangular, curved, striated and pointed asperities. Color, of the entire body, pale lead grey, 

 " somewhat darker on the back." 



This very brief and unsatisfactory notice by Lesueur, indicates a new form among the 

 Squalid^, hitherto unobserved on our coast. It occurred at Marblehead on the coast of 

 Massachusetts, and it is inserted here with a view of directing the attention of our naturahsts 

 to the subject. At Marblehead, the fishermen, according to Mr. Lesueur, call it Nurse, and 

 Sleeper ; doubtless, he adds, from its inactive or sluggish habits. 



Fauna — Part 4. 46 



