W. G. STEVENSON. 93 



This is the only species found along our coasts belong- 

 ing to the family Odontaspididcr, and is the species that 

 was partially described by DeKay, under the name of 

 Carcharias littoralis. 



DeKay speaks of this species as having a length of 

 from five to eight feet, while Jordan and Gilbert in their 

 Synopsis of the Fishes of North America refer to it as 

 from four to six feet in length. 



This specimen, when taken from the water, measured 

 eight feet seven inches in length, and may, therefore, 

 be regarded as of full size. 



DESCRIPTION OF EXTERNAL CHARACTERS. (PLATE.) 

 GENERAL DIMENSIONS. 



Length from snout to the end of caudal fin (straight 



line) 8 feet 7 inches 



Length from snout to the pectoral fins 26 inches 



Length from snout to the first dorsal fin 48 inches 



Length from snout to the second dorsal fin 71 inches 



Circumference, anterior to pectoral fins 48 inches 



Circumference, posterior to pectoral fins 49 inches 



Circumference, anterior to first dorsal fin 41% inches 



Circumference, anterior to ventral fins 38% inches 



Circumference, anterior to anal fin 19 inches 



Circumference, of caudal peduncle at base of caudal 



fin 11% inches 



COLOR, 



The color is a light-yellowish-brown. 



HEAD AND BODY. 



The head is short and somewhat flattened on top. The 

 snout is one inch and a half above the mouth, projecting 

 four inches beyond the jaws. 



The body is covered with rough tubercle-like scales or 

 papillre, which give to the surface an appearance and a 

 feeling as if sand had been sprinkled evenly over it. 



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