Fishes 201 



2. Squatina Aculeata, Cuvier. 

 Plate III. 



S. aculeata 1 (E. Dumeril, MSS., 1804), Cuvier, ' Le Regne Animal,' 

 2nd edit., ii. 394 (1829). 



S.Jimbriata, 1 Miiller and Henle, 'Plagiostomen,' 101 and 192(1839). 



Rhina aculeata 1 Aug. Dumeril ' Ichth. Generale,' i. 465 (1865). 



Our friend Mr. C. T. Regan has suggested to us that a figure 

 and description of the specimen taken by the Silver Belle might 

 prove useful, as the species appears to be little known and constantly 

 confused with the common S. angelus or with Bonaparte's S. oculata, 

 and we are unaware of any extant figure beyond the sketch of the 

 front part of the head given by Miiller and Henle (loc. cit., sub. nom. 

 S. fimbriata). 



In this specimen, which is 36-5 centimetres long (excluding lobes 

 of caudal fin), the greatest breadth across pectorals is contained just 

 over two and a half times, the greatest breadth across ventrals rather 

 more than three and a half times, and the length to the anus a little 

 over twice in the total length. Depth of body at origin of ventrals 

 four-fifths of its breadth, and at origin of its dorsal five-sixths of its 

 breadth. 



The length of the head to the first gill opening is contained three 

 times in the length to anus, and about one and a half times in its own 

 greatest breadth. The snout is very blunt, and the distance from its 

 anterior point to the level of the spiracles is equal to the distance 

 between the spiracles or to the interorbital width. Tbe longitudinal 

 diameter of the eyes is a little greater than their distance from the 

 level of the anterior point of the snout, and more than one-third of 

 the interorbital width. 



The anterior narial flaps are each divided into two fringed processes, 

 with a third small and inconspicuous distal process, and the posterior 



1 These descriptions appear to refer to the present species only. We can find 

 no other description in which this species is not confused with either S. angelus or 

 the S. oculata of Bonaparte. 



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