CARCHARODON CAPENSIS. 
piocess towards the point. First dorsal fin triangular, its apex recurved, and 
the hinder edge at its base prolonged to a slender point ; second dorsal fin 
small and quadrangular ; the upper lobe of the caudal fin considerably longer 
than the lower, with a small triangular process near its point ; structure and 
configuration of the abdominal viscera nearly as in the Carcharidce. 
DIMENSIONS. 
Length from the point of the nose to 
the tip of the upper lobe of 
caudal fin 
from the tip of the nose to 
the first dorsal fins 
Distance between the first and second 
dorsal fin 
between the second dorsal 
and caudal fins 
Length from the point of the nose 
to the pectoral fins ... 
Distance between the pectoral and 
ventral fins 
between the ventral and anal 
fins 
between the anal and caudal 
fins 
Feet. 
Inches. 
Feet. 
Inches. 
Height of the first dorsal fin 
0 
8 
Breadth at its base 
0 
9 
7 
0 
Height of the second dorsal 
0 
2 
Breadth at its base .... 
0 
li 
2 
Length of the pectoral fins 
1 
5 
Breadth at their base 
0 
9 
1 
7 
Distance from the tip of the nose 
to the eye 
0 
H 
0 
9 
to the nostrils 
0 
3* 
to the centre of the mouth 
0 
5 
1 
9 
to the first branchial opening 
1 
0 
Distance from the eye to the post- 
1 
7 
ocular spiracle 
0 
11 
Circumference in front of the first 
0 
n 
dorsal fin 
3 
4 
0 
7 
Nothing is known of the male. 
We have only seen one specimen of this species of shark ; but others were taken in the Cape 
Seas during our residence in South Africa. It swims close to the surface of the sea, and is said 
to be very active, and to feed upon fishes which it captures by its speed. The one we examined 
had the stomach distended with portions of Acanthias australis, Smith, Callorynchus australis 
Cuv., and a species of Loligo. 
In the Museum of the Zoological Society of London. 
