296 PLAGIOSTOMATA. 



commences above the postei'ior edge of the insertion of the pectoral ; the second 

 dorsal inserted somewhat anterior to the anal, terminating over its hind third, 

 and is about half the size of the first dorsal. Pectoral rather large, extending 

 two-thirds of the distance to the ventrals, which latter are placed nearer the first 

 dorsal than the second. Anal much smaller than the second dorsal. Caudal 

 without any lower lobe, while its upper lobe is notched near its extremity. Skin 

 smoother than in the tope. Colours — bluish-gray, becoming lighter beneath, 

 having numerous white spots along the upper half of the body, which disappear 

 with age. 



Thompson obtained an example in Belfast Bay, June 16th : " It combined in 

 colour Mr. Jenyns' description of 8. Icevis and S. Mnnulus, having, as the former 

 is described, the 'upper parts of a uniform pearl gray,' and being 'paler or 

 almost white beneath ;' at the same time presenting with the 8q. hinnulus a 

 row of small whitish spots from the eye towards the first of the branchial 

 openings; lateral-line indistinctly (?) spotted with white; also a moderate 

 number of small, scattered white spots between the lateral-line and the dorsal 

 ridge." He continues, that there were numerous small white spots above the 

 lateral-line to end of second dorsal ; another row along upper edge of tail-fin. 



Names. — Smooth or unpriclcly hound, due, observes Pennant, to its not 

 possessing spines to its fins ; ray-vwuthed-dog or shate-toothed dog, in allusion to 

 its dentition. Stinkard, in Ireland, due to its odour. Gi Llyfn, Welsh. Be 

 Toonltai, Dutch. L'Emissole coinmiine, French. 



Habits. — Does not appear to be a very voracious form of shark, keeping 

 somewhat near the gxound, and in the Firth of Forth Parnell observed that it is 

 generally found in the salmon nets along with the common dog-fish. It usually 

 appears about May or June, but has been taken as early as February or March. 

 Mr. Saville Kent observes that in 1875 a pair were captured at Colwyn Bay, 

 North Wales, and sent to the Manchester Aquarium. Soon after aiTival at their 

 destination eleven young ones were produced, which, with the exception of one, 

 which was apparently devoured by the male fish, were successfully reared. It 

 feeds on molluscous and crustaceous animals, which it crushes with its teeth. 

 Thompson found one filled with brachyurous Crustacea, including a perfect and 

 full-grown Gorystes cassivelanus. 

 Means of capture. — Baited hooks. 



Breeding. — Couch observes that in November he has found one with eleven 

 young just ready for exclusion. Moreau refers to their producing twenty or 

 more, and Risso up to sixty. Although the foetus has no placenta, "the bursa 

 entiana is well developed." 



As food. — Fleming observes that its fl^esh is eaten in the Hebrides, and 

 esteemed a delicacy. 



Habitat.- — Atlantic coasts of Europe, extending into the Mediterranean, and 

 is said to have been taken at the Cape of Good Hope, the Brazils, and 

 New Zealand. 



Orkne3-s and Shetland Isles (W. Baikie, Zool. 1853) : Aberdeen (Sim) : not 

 uncommon at St. Andrew's (Mcintosh), or off the coast of Berwickshire 

 (Johnston) : Firth of Forth (Parnell). 



In the summer it is not uncommon in the west and south of Great Britain. 

 Common in Bridlington Bay and off Scarborough (Yorkshire Vertebrata) : 

 Norfolk estuary (Lowe) Kent and Sussex (Yai-rell). Frequent along the south 

 coast (Parfitt, Fauna of Devon) : common in Cornwall during summer and 

 autumn, especially in the pilchaxd season. Occasionally occurs in Swansea Bay 

 (Dillwyn). 



Ireland. — Occasionally taken on the north and south. Sometimes caught in 

 Carrickfergus Bay (Templeton) : at Portrush common (Ogilby). The Londonderry 

 specimen, alluded to in Simpson's Derry, had five or six rows of teeth, so 

 probably belonged to another genus. 



Off our shores it iittains to 3 or 4 feet in length, sometimes more (Jenyns) : 

 to 6 feet (Fleming). Moreau refers to one he saw at Arcachon which was 

 6| feet. The one fi^p^ured is 15 inches long, and from the Channel Islands. 



