90 CAECHAEODON CAECHAEIAS. 



its only known species — L. cornubica — has teeth "tri- 

 angular, pointed, entire, each one with a small cusp on 

 each side at base." This specimen is therefore not a 

 "mackerel shark." There remains for examination of 

 the family — Lamnidce. only the genus Carcharodon — 

 ' ' man-eater ' ' sharks. 



"This genus differs from Isurus chiefly in -the denti- 

 tion, the teeth being large, flat, erect, regularly triangular, 

 their edges serrated ; first dorsal moderate, nearly mid- 

 way between pectorals and ventrals ; second dorsal and 

 anal very small ; pectoral large, ventrals moderate, caudal 

 peduncle rather stout ; spiracles minute or absent." 



The generic characteristics thus given so well agree 

 with the specimen under examination, that I conclude 

 it is, without doubt, a Carcharodon ; and it only re- 

 mains to determine its identity with the only known 

 species of this genus, viz., Carcharodon carcharias (J. 

 & G.), "man-eater" shark, which is thus described: 



"Body stout — depth, 5|- in total length; mouth very 

 large ; both jaws with five rows of large, triangular, ser- 

 rated teeth — those in lower jaw narrower — about ff in 

 each jaw ; first dorsal somewhat behind pectorals ; cau- 

 dal fin large and strong — color, leaden gray ; tips and 

 edges of pectorals black." (Storer) — quoted from Jor- 

 dan & Gilbert, who add : ' ' one of the largest of the 

 sharks, reaching a length of fifteen feet and the weight 

 of nearly a ton. It is found in all temperate and tropi- 

 cal seas, but is rare on our coasts. American specimens 

 have been named C. atwoodi, but are probably not dis- 

 tinct from the European." 



At the time this was written Professor Jordan had not, 

 as he informs me, seen this species, but quoted from 

 Storer, who had mistaken the genus. Since then, how- 

 ever, Professor Jordan has seen a specimen thirty-two 

 feet long, taken at Monterey Bay, California, the jaws 

 of which only were saved. 



42 



