t82 MITCHILL ON THE FISHES OF NEW-YORK. 



SQUALUS. SHARK. 



Generic character. 



Mouth situated beneath the anterior part of the head ; with numerous 

 teeth disposed in rows. Spiracles on each side of the neck, in most 

 species five in number, of a semi-lunar shape. Body oblong, somewhat 

 cylindric. 



1. Hammer-headed Shark. (Squalus zygeena.) With broad transverse 

 head, and eyes at the extremities. 



The voracity of this animal may be judged of from the following oc- 

 currence at Sagharbour, in September, 1805: "Three sharks of the 

 shovel-nosed species were taken in a net by Mr. Joshua Terry, of Ri- 

 verhead. The largest was eleven feet in length. On opening him many 

 detached parts of a man were found in his belly. These were collect- 

 ed and buried. There was also found a striped cotton shirt patched on 

 the sides and sleeves with bright striped pieces." 



The specimen I have in a prepared state, was taken in the bay of 

 New-York. 



2. Thresher, or Long-tailed Shark. (Squalus vulpes.) With long and 

 very unequal tail, almost smooth skin, and a single row of teeth. 



An individual of this species was found, in 1803, on the south side of 

 Long-Island, and described in the Medical Repository, vol. viii. p. 77. 

 with a figure. 



" The whole length of the body and tail was thirteen feet and one 

 inch. The skin, though thick as that of the common shark, was not as 

 rough, except a very little on the back. The colour was dusky or 

 brown ; and the shades darker on the upperside than on the belly. The 

 tail was stout and elastic. Its upper side was about three or four inches 



