W. G. STEVENSON. 91 



The above description, although incomplete, covers so 

 many of the principal characteristics of my specimen 

 that I regard it as identical with the species described, 

 and therefore name it Car char odon cartfiarias, — " man- 

 eater" shark. 



This diagnosis has been confirmed by my friend, Prof. 

 William B. Dwight, of Vassar College, who has exam- 

 ined the specimen, and also by the distinguished natu- 

 ralist, Prof. David S. Jordan, to whom photographs and 

 measurements of the fish were sent for study, and whose 

 valuable assistance I hereby acknowledge. 



There are, however, as before stated, two important 

 discrepancies between the description given by authors 

 and this specimen, viz., (1) the absence in this shark of 

 the caudal pit, which authorities state belong to all 

 lamnoid sharks, and (2) the position of the last bran- 

 chiae which, in this specimen, partly overlap the front of 

 the pectorals, but which, according to authorities, 

 should be entirely in front of the pectorals. Professor 

 Jordan says he cannot now explain these differences, 

 which "may change with age." 



The expression, as published by Storer and quoted 

 by subsequent writers, "five rows" of • teeth is an un- 

 happy one, for it includes the non-functional or rudi- 

 mentary teeth which are partly or wholly concealed in 

 the groove of the jaws, and which can only be seen when 

 the enclosing tissues are cut away. 



The specimen which gives me the data for this report 

 I have placed in the museum of Vassar Brothers Insti- 

 tute in this city, and since it is, so far as I know, the only 

 specimen of this species preserved in this country, it is 

 hoped that it may prove useful in helping to clear away 

 the confusion which has so long existed relative to the 

 lamnoid sharks. 



Note. — As showing the importance of the specimen above described, 

 I subjoin the following letter from the distinguished zoologist of the 



<£3 



