ECHINOKHINUS OBESUS. 
square ; the ventral fins short, broader behind than at their bases, and their 
posterior edges slightly undulated ; the caudal fin entire, somewhat trian- 
gular and slightly falciform, the upper portion high above the line of the 
back, the lower scarcely below the line of the body immediately in front of 
it. Lateral line very distinct, commencing above branchial openings, and 
extending nearly without curve or undulation to the commencement of the 
caudal fin, from thence it ascends the latter, and extends along it, nearer to 
its anterior than posterior edge, until it reaches its upper extremity ; at its 
origin this line is nearer to the middle of the back than the base of the 
pectoral fin ; to the touch it feels slightly rough, which arises from its being 
beset with a number of minute prickles, which are most distinctly seen in 
preserved specimens. The surface of the skin both on the body and fins 
is more or less sprinkled with strong bony-looking spines, with large cir- 
cular and flattened bases, which are striated from the centre towards the 
circumference. These spines vary in size as well as form, some being hooked, 
others quite straight ; in some places they are disposed in clusters, in others 
they are solitary, and on the extremity of the muzzle are nearly wanting. The 
appendages to the ventral fins in the male seldom extend much beyond their 
posterior margins. 
DIMENSIONS. 
Feet. Inches. 
Length from the tip of the nose 
to the end of the caudal fin 6 65 
to the eye 0 6^ 
to the first dorsal fin 3 9^ 
to the pectoral fins 1 65 
to the anterior edge of the 
upper jaw 0 6 
to the base of the ventral fins 3 7 5 
Feet. Inches. 
Distance between the dorsal fins 0 4-j 
Length from the hinder edge of the 
second dorsal fin to the base 
of the caudal fin 0 4 
of the tail from the base to the 
highest point 1 5^ 
This shark is comparatively rare at the Cape of Good Hope. It is described by the fisher- 
men as sluggish and unwieldy in its movements, and but seldom to be observed towards the 
surface of the water. When they obtain specimens, it is generally at a time when they are 
fishing in deep water, and when the bait with which the hooks are armed is near to the bottom. 
In this respect it resembles the Scyllia, or ground-sharks ; and, if we were to regard only its 
internal organization, we should be disposed to consider it as closely allied to that genus. 
