184 



CLASSIFICATION OF FISHES. 



into four sub-genera_, the characters of which, however^ 

 do not appear in the paper alh.ided to. 



(163.) ^Ve finally have resolved to place the genus 

 Squatina between the torpedos and the snout rays (Rhi- 

 nohates) ; by which situation it preserves its analogy to 

 all those sharks which liave^ like this^ the muzzle obtuse, 

 and the mouth terminal. The annexed representation 

 of S. angehrum {fig. 22.), found in our seas, will give 



the reader a better idea of this singular fish, than a 

 laboured description. Its whole aspect is certainly 

 more like that of a ray than of a shark. The circum- 

 stance of the branchial apertures being placed beneath, 

 joined with the very great development of the pectorals, 

 and the flattened obtuse head (intermediate between that 

 of a torpedo and a ray), all conspire to point out its 

 natural station to be in the present family. The only 

 character, in fact, which it seems to possess in common 

 with the sharks^ is that of having the tail fully developed, 

 and the pectorals detached, in front, from the head : but 

 these considerations are not sufficient, in our opinion, to 

 counterbalance those just stated ; to which may be added_, 

 the depressed form of the whole fish, which shows that its 

 habits are naturally very much the same as those of all 

 the rays. Cuvier refers the Squalus acideatus of the Me- 

 diterranean to this group. — a fish we have not seen ; and 

 Le Sueur has beautifully figured another (.S*. DiaiW' 

 rilli^fig. 23.), which inhabits the coast of America : the 

 shape, situation, and proportion of the two dorsals and 

 of the caudal are precisely the same as what we see in 



