SOYLLIUM AFRICANUM. 



Upper jaw semielliptic. Teeth of both jaws closely set, arranged in several 

 transverse rows, and each tooth tridentate ; the lateral teeth very small. 

 Branchial openings semilunar, the first the longest, the last the shortest, the 

 lower extremity of the third slightly in advance of the base of pectoral fin. 

 Pectoral fins triangular, the outer side considerably the longest, the hinder 

 side nearly truncated, and forms almost a right angle with the body. The 

 edge of ventral fins posteriorly oblique, the hinder and inner angle prolonged 

 and slightly rounded, the hinder and outer much rounded ; the base of the 

 anal fin equal in measurement to three times and a half its depth. The skin 

 is densely coated with minute tridentate horny scales, which are placed 

 nearly perpendicular to its surface, are very closely set, and have their points 

 inclined slightly backwards ; hence feel very harsh to the hand when moved 

 from behind forwards. In young specimens the points are but little blunted 

 from friction, hence in them the asperity is most distinct. 



In. Lin. 

 From the tip of the snout to the angle of 



the mouth 2 8 



of the gape 2 3 



of the nose to the centre of 



the upper lip 1 3J 



of the nose to the anterior 



angle of the eye 1 11 



of the nose to the base of the 



pectoral fin 7 3 



DIMENSIONS. 



In. Lin. 



From the tip of the nose to the base of the 



1st dorsal fin 20 



of the 2nd dorsal fin 28 



From base of 2nd dorsal fin to tip of 



caudal fin 8 2 



to tip of caudal fin 6 11 



Total length 36 6 



Male. — Colours generally, the same as those of the female; body less bulky. 



This species abounds in the South African seas, and is known among the fishermen by the 

 name of lui haai (lazy shark), an appellation it has obtained from its extreme disinclination 

 to move from its resting place, even when danger threatens it. It resorts to the bottom of the 

 sea for its food, which consists of shell fish, crustacea, &c. ; and it is often to be seen, where 

 the water is not very deep, languidly detaching limpets, &c, from the rocks to which they may 

 be adherent. 



The extent of nostril, internal to the cirrus, and the shortness of the latter, constitute charac- 

 ters by which this species is readily to be distinguished from S. Pantherinum and Variegatum. 



