THE LITTLE DOG-FISH. 
193 
The very singular family of the Chi manic! sc contains a few but remarkable species. 
Both these creatures are sufficiently quaint and ungainly in aspect. The Northern 
Chimjera is also known by the title of Rabbit-fish, probably on account of its general 
aspect, and King of the Herrings, because it follows the shoals of those fishes during 
their wonderful migrations, and makes great havoc among their numbers. The appendage 
to the top of the head is also looked upon by the Norwegians in the light of a kingly crown, 
and has contributed towards its royal title. It is known in some localities under the name of 
Sea Cat. 
This species is mostly found in the Northern seas, and is, when living, a most beautiful 
creature, its body glowing with golden-brown variegations upon a white ground. The title 
of Gold and Silver Fish is sometimes given to the Northern Chimsera in consequence of this 
gorgeous coloring. The pupil of the eye is green, and the iris is white. It feeds mostly 
upon the smaller fish, but finds much of its subsistence among the various mollusks, crusta- 
ceans, and other inhabitants of the ocean. The flesh is not considered good, being hard and 
coarse. 
The form of this fish is very peculiar, the body being tolerably large and rounded towards 
the point, and the tail tapering rapidly until it ends in an elongated thong, almost like 
the lash of a whip. The second dorsal fin commences immediately behind the first, and 
extends along the tail nearly to the extremity of its lengthened filamentary termination. The 
sexes may readily be distinguished from each other, both by the shape of the head and first 
dorsal fin, and by a pair of bony appendages close to the ventral fins. It is not a large species, 
seldom exceeding a yard in length. 
In the seas of the southern hemisphere, there is another species of Chimsera, called from 
its locality, the Southern Chimera {CcillorTiynclius antdrctica ) or Elephant-fish, the latter 
title being given to it on account of the extraordinary prolongation of the snout. The Arau- 
canian name for this species is Chalgua Achagual. The snout of this fish is developed into 
a strange cartilaginous prolongation, which is bent backwards in a hook-like form, and is 
thought by some persons to bear a resemblance to a common hoe. 
The tail of this species does not correspond in oddity with its head, being without the 
long filament that gives so strange an aspect to its Northern relative. The color is satiny- 
white mottled with brown, and the size is about the same as that of the Northern Chimsera. 
The Chimseras are so manifestly different from fishes more or less allied on each side, 
they are regarded as forming naturally a sub-class. They are all embraced under one order, 
and one family. The extraordinary appearance of these creatures quite justifies the titles 
given them. Two species are enumerated, one called Rat-fish, and the other Elephant-fish. 
The former is found in the Atlantic Ocean, from Cape Cod northward, in deep water ; the 
other inhabits the Pacific, from Monterey northward, and is very abundant. 
THE SHARKS. 
The fishes belonging to the next sub-order have their gills fixed by their outer edge to the 
divisions in the gill-openings at the side of the neck. This sub-order includes the Sharks and 
the Rays. 
The first family of this large and important group is known by the name of Scyllidse, and 
its members can be recognized by several distinguishing characteristics. They have spout- 
holes on the head, and the gill-openings are five in number on each side. Sometimes there 
only seems to be four openings, but on closer examination the fourth and fifth are found set 
closely together, the opening of the fifth appearing within that of the fourth. The teeth are 
sharp and pointed, and the tail is long, notched on the outer side, and is not furnished 
with a fin. 
One of the commonest species is the Little Dog-fish, called by several other names, as is 
usual with a familiar species that is found in many localities. Among such names are Small 
Spotted Dog-fish, Lesser Spotted Shark, Morgan, end Robin Huss. 
Vol. m.— 25. 
