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THE SMOOTH HOUND. 
The Tope is commoner towards the southern than the northern coast, but wherever 
it is found, it is an intolerable nuisance, behaving itself much after the example set by 
the blue Shark, and being, in proportion to its dimensions, quite as injurious to the fish- 
ing interest. Like the last-mentioned species, it produces living young, the number of a 
single family being about thirty. They are born in May and June, and mostly remain on 
the coasts through their first winter, not retiring into deep water till they have entered their 
second year. 
Like the blue Shark, the Tope is fond of robbing the fishermen’s hooks, and will in like 
manner endeavor to free itself when hooked, biting through the line, or rolling round with 
PICKED DOG-FISH AND SMOOTH HOUND . —Acanthias vulgaris et Mustelus mlgaiis. 
such rapidity that it winds the long cord about its body into tangled knots. The upper 
surface of the Tope is slaty-gray, becoming lighter towards the abdomen, which is nearly 
white. 
Tope [Galeoi'Tiinus galeus). The common name of this Shark is local in the tropical 
countries. Penny Dog and Miller’s Dog are names applied to it in Europe. It is one of 
the species that brings its young forth alive. They are bom in May, and the brood is said to 
be thirty in number. San Francisco is recorded as one locality it inhabits. It seems to be the 
only species yet known in America. 
The prettily marked and curiously toothed Smooth Hound is also known under the titles 
of Skate-toothed Shark and Ray-toothed Dog, the two latter titles being appropriately 
