364 NEW-YORK FAUNA. 



spiracles. Cheeks flat, with numerous mucous pores. Nostrils on the anterior edge, above the 

 jaws, and between the eyes ; aperture vertical, and covered by abroad membrane. Spiracles 

 behind the eyes, wide, transverse. Teeth lanceolate, rather gibbose in front, in 6-7 distinct 

 series, having each 5 [?] teeth. Branchial apertures very near each other, in front of the pec- 

 torals. Tongue triangular, flat, not distinct, terminated by a small fleshy rounded appendage. 

 Pectorals subtriangular, and with a round notch at their inner base ; curved sharp points on 

 the upper surface of its outer margin. Abdominal fins lanceolate, straight, narrow. Dorsals 

 two, triangular, and situated on the base of the tail. Caudal fin emarginate ; lower lobe 

 longest, both pointed. 



Color. Bluish ash-grey above ; beneath white. Eyes yellowish green ; pupils black. A 

 red spot on the throat and abdomen, and a reddish blotch on the under side of the tail. Pec- 

 torals and ventrals bordered with irregular bands of the same color. 



Length three to four feet. 



This is a very rare species. On the coast of Europe, it has many popular names, such as 

 Monk or Monliey-fish, Kingston, Shark Ray, and Fiddle-fish. Lesucur describes from tliree 

 specimens, without, however, indicating the locality ; but it is conjectured that they were 

 derived from the southern coast. This is strengthened by the fact that -one of them belonged 

 to Mr. Peale, who made extensive collections on the coast of Florida. I do not find it figured 

 among the drawings of my friend Dr. Holbrook. Of the occasional occurrence of this species 

 on the coast of New- York, I have no doubt, as intelligent fishermen have described it to me 

 under the name of Little Bull-head Shark, and readily recognized the figure. 



