FAMILY SQUALIDiE SQUATINA. 363 



waybetween the first and second dorsals, with a narrow pointed tip behind. Anal somewhat 

 larger, but similar in shape to the second dorsal, rather more excavated on its posterior mar- 

 gin. Caudal equal in length to the transverse diameter of the head; the lower lobe short; 

 the upper with a small triangular lobe near its lip. 



Color. Uniform dusky grey, with a very slight tinge of reddish brown ; cinereous beneath. 



Length, 25-0 ; of the head 2*0 ; width of ditto, 6-5. Height of first dorsal, 2-5. 



This was captured in September, in a seine, in the harbor of New- York, in company with 

 several others. I have seen them in Hellgate four feet long. Dr.Mitchill notices three which 

 were taken in 1805, at Riverhead, Suffolk county, in a net. The largest was eleven feet 

 long ; and on opening him, many detached parts of a man, together with his clothing, were 

 found in his stomach. 



It is popularly termed Shovel-nose, and Hammer-head, by our fishermen, and is much 

 dreaded for its boldness and ferocity. The existence of the S. tiburo on our coast, as yet 

 rests upon very doubtful authority. 



The Hammer-headed Shark is found on both sides of the Atlantic. It ranges on the 

 American coast from Brazil to the shores of Nantucket, south of Cape Cod, which is the 

 most extreme northern limit yet recorded. 



GENUS SQUATINA. Dumeril. 



Body hroad, flattened horizontally. Pectorals very wide, extending forward, hut separated 

 from the head, by a cleft in lohich are placed the branchial apertures. Head round. Eyes 

 above. Mouth vertical. No anal. Both dorsals behind the ventrals. Temporal orifices. 



Obs. This genus forms, by its compressed figure, dilated pectorals and other particulars, a 

 natural passage to the succeeding family. Some recent systematic writers have in fact made 

 it the representative of a distinct group in that family ; but, as we think, with little propriety. 



THE AMERICAN ANGEL-FISH. 



SaC-iTINA DUMERILI. 

 PLATE LXn. FIG. 203. 

 Squatinn dumerili, Lesdedu, Jour. Acad. Nat. Sciences, Vol. 2, p. 225, pi. 10. 



Characteristics. Head bordered on each side by a i|Vhite membrane. Abdomen, throat and 

 ventral fins marked by red spots. Nostrils with a broad ciliated skin on 

 each side. Length three to four feet. 



Description. Body flattened, broad, and elevated towards the pectorals. Tail attenuated 

 and sharp-edged. Head wider than long, obtuse, emarginated in front between the nostrils, 

 depressed above and between the eyes. Neck rather tumid and distinct. Eyes small ; orbit 

 elevated, and furnished with blunt tubercles ; similar ones above the nostrils and between the 



