THE LITTLE DOG-FISH. 103 



The very singular family of the Chimseridas contains a few but remarkable species. 



Both these creatures are sufficiently quaint and ungainly in aspect. The Northern 

 Chimera is also known by the title of Rabbit-fish, probably on account of its general 

 aspect, and King of the Herrings, because it follows the shoals of those fishes during 

 their wonderful migrations, and makes great havoc among their numbers. The appendage 

 to the top of the head is also looked upon by the Norwegians in the light of a kingly crown, 

 and has contributed towards its royal title. It is known in some localities under the name of 

 Sea Cat. 



This species is mostly found in the Northern seas, and is, when living, a most beautiful 

 creature, its body glowing with golden-brown variegations upon a white ground. The title 

 of Gold and Silver Fish is sometimes given to the Northern Chimsera in consequence of this 

 gorgeous coloring. The pupil of the eye is green, and the iris is white. It feeds mostly 

 upon the smaller fish, but finds much of its subsistence among the various mollusks, crusta- 

 ceans, and other inhabitants of the ocean. The flesh is not considered good, being hard and 

 coarse. 



The form of this fish is very peculiar, the body being tolerably large and rounded towards 

 the point, and the tail tapering rapidly until it ends in an elongated thong, almost like 

 the lash of a whip. The second dorsal fin commences immediately behind the first, and 

 extends along the tail nearly to the extremity of its lengthened filamentary termination. The 

 sexes may readily be distinguished from each other, both by the shape of the head and first 

 dorsal fin, and by a pair of bony appendages close to the ventral fins. It is not a large species, 

 seldom exceeding a yard in length. 



In the seas of the southern hemisphere, there is another species of Chimsera, called from 

 its locality, the Southern Chm^era {OallorTiyncJius antdrctica) or Elephaxt-fisii, the latter 

 title being given to it on account of the extraordinary prolongation of the snout. The Arau- 

 canian name for this species is Chalgua Achagual. The snout of this fish is developed into 

 a strange cartilaginous prolongation, which is bent backwards in a hook-like form, and is 

 thought by some persons to bear a resemblance to a common hoe. 



The tail of this species does not correspond in oddity with its head, being without the 

 long filament that gives so strange an aspect to its Northern relative. The color is satiny- 

 white mottled with brown, and the size is about the same as that of the Northern Chimsera. 



The Chimseras are so manifestly different from fishes more or less allied on each side, 

 they are regarded as forming naturally a sub-class. They are all embraced under one order, 

 and one family. The extraordinary appearance of these creatures quite justifies the titles 

 given them. Two species are enumerated, one called Rat-fish, and the other Elephant-fish. 

 The former is found in the Atlantic Ocean, from Cape Cod northward, in deep water ; the 

 other inhabits the Pacific, from Monterey northward, and is very abundant. 



THE SHARKS. 



The fishes belonging to the next sub-order have their gills fixed by their outer edge to the 

 divisions in the gill-openings at the side of the neck. This sub-order includes the Sharks and 

 the Rays. 



The first family of this large and important group is known by the name of Scyllidse, and 

 its members can be recognized by several distinguishing characteristics. They have spout- 

 holes on the head, and the gill-openings are five in number on each side. Sometimes there 

 only seems to be four openings, but on closer examination the fourth and fifth are found set 

 closely together, the opening of the fifth appearing within that of the fourth. The teeth are 

 sharp and pointed, and the tail is long, notched on the outer side, and is not furnished 

 with a fin. 



One of the commonest species is the Little Dog-fish, called by several other names, as is 

 usual with a familiar species that is found in many localities. Among such names are Small 

 Spotted Dog-fish, Lesser Spotted Shark, Morgay, and Robin Hitss. 



Vol. m.— 25. 



