1340 Fishes. 



genus a couple of others, that are marked by the occurrence of seven 

 branchial orifices ; on which account the latter have been formed into 

 the genus Heptanchus by the two above-named German naturalists. 

 It is more easy to raise objections to any proposed arrangement of 

 this family of fishes, than to form a new one ; and at least a more ex- 

 tensive acquaintance with the species must be obtained, before 

 a classification can be made that will stand the test of close inquiry, 

 as a natural series. Cuvier has remarked, that though the teeth of 

 this fish have been well figured, the fish itself is no where well repre- 

 sented. But he is wanting in his usual accuracy when he adds, that 

 it differs from Galeus only in the absence of the first dorsal fin ; for 

 beside the greater width of the head, which is a sign of less activity ; 

 and the different form of the teeth, that leads to a different mode of 

 feeding; the much superior length of the tail, and the singular ridge 

 or spines along its superior margin, which must be employed in a dif- 

 ferent mode of defence, and which assimilates it to the Black-mouthed 

 Dogfish {Scyllium Melanostomum), are quite sufficient to show it 

 widely distinct. In this last particular, indeed, it approaches the 

 genus Pristiurus of Muller and EJenle, while its snout bears an inter- 

 mediate character between it and the genus Scyllium ; so that it is 

 equally allied, and yet equally distinct from either of them. In its 

 habits it is undoubtedly a ground shark ; and Risso says that it keeps 

 in very deep water in the Mediterranean, in some parts of which it is" 

 said to be not uncommon, though Swainson never met with it during 

 six years that he resided in Sicily. The ground sharks, with us, are 

 very inactive; and the fisherman who caught this fish informed me, 

 that it scarcely moved after it was taken into the boat. 



Jonathan Couch. 



Curious mode of fishing in India. — I have never seen the following Indian mode 

 of fishing noticed in any work. It is practised about Midnapour in Bengal, where I 

 resided for some time and constantly partook of its fruit. It is at least a good illus- 

 tration of native patience. The spear consists of from eight to ten pieces of very light 

 reed, about a finger in thickness, each piece from four to five feet long. These joints 

 fit neatly into one another (like a fishing rod), the ends being bound with thin strips of 

 cane to prevent their splitting. The last joint carries a light iron, and is barbed double, 

 and the whole tapering from the, but to the point. The fisherman stands on the bank of 

 the stream, and having fixed a piece of red flannel or cloth on the barbs, deliberately 

 pushes out the spear into the stream at right angles to the bank, adding joint to joint 

 until he reaches a length of from thirty to forty feet. He then, perhaps, feels he has 

 a fish, and slowly takes it to pieces, until he has landed his captive, — generally a kind 



