SHARKS AND SKATES. 



15 



Fig. 59. — Chlamydoselachus anguineus. 



across the whole Pacific, from the Cape of Good Hope to California, and, according to 

 Dr. Jordan, it is not rare at San Francisco. The Notidanidje attain a length of about 

 fifteen feet. 



The recently instituted family, Chlamydoselachid^, which at present contains 

 but a single species, Chlamydoselachics anguineus, deserves mention. Mr. Garman 

 found, ill a lot of specimens from Japan, an eel-like shark, six feet long, and less than 

 four inches in diameter. It differed so much from all other known sharks, that a 

 family was necessary, of which the following characters seem the most important. 

 The branchial apertures are six in 

 number, and the opercular fold is 

 broad, and is continuous across the 

 under side of the neck ; the mouth 

 is wide, and placed at the anterior 

 end of the head ; the eyes are with- 

 out a nictitating membrane ; the 

 single dorsal is placed behind the 

 ventral s, and opposite the anals. 



Mr. Garman has thoroughly 

 studied the internal structure, and 

 finds there differences even more 

 important than those given here, 



but, as his account is not yet published, the details cannot be given. In his preliminary 

 account, Mr. Garman gives the following remarks, which incidentally indicate the pos- 

 sibility of an allied species on our eastern coasts : — 



" Such an animal as that described is likely to unsettle disbelief in what is popularly 

 called the ' sea serpent.' Though it could hardly, on examination, be taken for any- 

 thing but a shark, its appearance in the forward portion of the body, particularly in 

 the head, brings vividly to mind the triangular heads, deep-cleft mouths, and fierce 

 looks, of many of our most dreaded snakes. In view of the possible discoveries of 

 the future, the fact of the existence of such creatures, so recently undiscovered, cer- 

 tainly calls for a suspension of judgment in regard to the non-existence of that oft- 

 appearing but elusive creature, the serpent-like monster of the oceans. 



" Generally, the attitude of ichthyologists in respect to the belief in unknown sea- 

 monsters is much the same ; they are inclined to accejDt it, but are waiting more 

 definite information. A couple of years ago. Professor Baird, in a conversation on 

 the subject, drew a sketch of a strange creature, captured and thrown away by a 

 fisherman on the coast of Maine, which might be readily considered by the ordinary 

 observer as a form of 'the serpent.' It was some twenty-four feet in length, ten inches 

 in diameter, eel-like in shape, possessed of a single dorsal, placed near the head, and 

 had three gill openings. The question was, 'Is it a shark?' In several respects it 

 resembled an eel rather more." 



The ScYMNiD^ (LiBmargidffi) embraces about half a dozen large sharks, with no 

 anal fin, and no spines in front of the two dorsals ; they have no nictitating membrane ; 

 the five gill slits are in front of the pectoral fin ; and spiracles are present. Only two 

 species are known on our coasts, and of one of these {Echinorhimis S2oinosics) but a 

 single specimen has been taken here, though it is more common on the coasts of 

 Europe and Africa. This is called the spinous shark, from the fact that the skin bears 

 large round tubercles scattered over the surface, each of which is ' surmounted by 



