MAN-EATER SHARKS. 
1129 
extending its wanderings up to the Shetland Islands. 
The third division, the subfamily Car char iince, is re- 
cognised by the normal development of its head and 
its large, triangular or subulate jaw-teeth, and to it 
belong most of the species within the family. 
The two genera which occur in Scandinavian wa- 
ters may be distinguished as follows: 
A: Peduncle of the tail crossed by a trans- 
verse groove (a notch) above and below, 
just in front of the base of the caudal fin Genus Carcharias. 
B : Contours of the tail uninterrupted (with- 
out notch) in front of the caudal fin... ,, Galeorliinus. 
Obs. From Iceland Faber described" a species of Shark 7 — 
9 ft. long, which he called Squalus arcticus. Nilsson assumed that 
so large a Shark, with the well-known roving proclivities of these 
fishes, could not occur off Iceland without paying at least an occa- 
sional visit to Norway; and on this ground Squalus arcticus Avas in- 
troduced into the Scandinavian fauna* *. The elder Reinhardt showed, 
hoAvever, that, admitting the possibility of one or two slips of the 
pen or lapses of memory. Faber’s description is most appropriate to 
Isurits ( Lamna ) cornubicus c . More recently Muller and Henle found 
in the Museums of Berlin and Leyden a species of Shark d which they 
assumed to be Faber’s Squalus arcticus, and which they placed in 
their genus Galeocerdo , most nearly resembling Galeorhinus, but with 
a groove in front of the caudal fin. Kr0Yer also states e that he has 
examined two mandibles of Galeocerdo arcticus from Iceland. But 
Faber’s description by no means coincides with that given by Muller 
and Henle of the last-mentioned species. Especial attention is due 
to the following points in Faber’s description: “Schnauze verlangert, 
zugespitzt . . . Nasenoffnungen dicht vor den Augen . . . Schwanzflosse 
fast halbmondformig.’ Nilsson too was probably justified iu his as- 
sumption that, if so large a Shark had occurred regularly off the 
coast of Iceland, it ought also to have been met with in Norwegian 
waters. As this has not happened for more than sixty years since 
attention was first drawn to the possible occurrence of the species, 
we see no reason for noticing this species among the fishes of Scan- 
dinavda at greater length than we have done in the present note. 
Genus CARCHARIAS. 
Spiracles obliterated. A transverse groove in the superior and inferior margins of the tail just in front of the 
caudal fin. Valve of the spiral intestine longitudinally coiled. 
The Sharks most commonly known as man-eaters , 
dreaded and detested with equal fervour by the sailor, 
belong to this genus. With their elongated form of 
body and their well-developed fins — especially the 
usually long and scythe-shaped pectorals — they are 
confirmed rovers and readily strike the eye, whether 
disporting themselves at the surface of the open sea 
or swimming in shallower water, sometimes close in 
shore. Their insatiate voracity renders them formidable 
pirates throughout their range in the tropical and tem- 
perate seas. The seaman that falls overboard, in most 
cases, no doubt, becomes their prey, and the incautious 
bather, even on a shelving coast, may meet with the 
same fate. Sailors therefore take a delight in torment- 
ing these fishes in every conceivable manner when they 
have succeeded in getting them on board. 
During his voyage to India Sundevall made the 
following notes with respect to the genus Carcharias : 
“These species are commonly seen slowly following the 
vessel in fine weather and light winds, especially when 
“ Fiscli. Isl., p. 17. 
* Prodr. Ichth. Scand., p. 115. 
c Maanedskr. f. Lit., Kbhvn, Bd 7, p. 212 and Bd 9, p. 263. 
d Plarjiost., p. 60, tab. 24. 
e Danm. Fisk., Ill, p. 933, note. 
the salt meat for daily consumption is towed behind 
the ship, as is the general custom, in a sort of keg, to 
be soaked. The Shark is then seen cruising about, 
with dorsal fin projecting above the surface, and as 
soon as anything is thrown into the water, it is at 
once pounced upon by the fish. Bits of wood and 
other inedible substances are readily seized, but soon 
discarded. The Shark is consequently an easy catch, 
but the hook should be of a suitable thickness, the line 
strong and furnished with some iron links next the hook 
to prevent it from being bitten off. These fishes do not 
disdain any animal substance or filth. In securing any 
floating object, they open the jaws over it quite lei- 
surely and raise the whole head above the surface, the 
mouth being situated on the ventral side; but upon 
objects that sink in the water they dart with great ra- 
pidity. In taking a baited hook, the Shark turns upon 
its side or completely over, with the belly upwards, as 
the snout would else come in contact with the line 
and push the bait away. When the wind is at all 
