RHINODON TYPICUS. 
* 
sufficient to permit of the necessary absorption of the nutritive portion of the in- 
jesta. The rectum, internally, is quite smooth, and the gland which, in sharks 
generally, is situated behind it, also exists in this fish, and opens into the gut 
about six inches from the anus. On each side of the latter there is a large 
opening, through which a probe can he readily introduced into the cavity of 
the peritoneum, and into that cavity, it would appear, the sea water enters 
through these openings, as it contained about eig.it gallons pei ect y pure, or 
at least only with some animal secretion. , 
The liver consists of two lobes nearly of equal size, the length of each 
three feet and a half; the greatest width thirteen inches, the least six. ie 
rail-bladder is exterior to the substance of the liver, and situated on its con- 
cave or dorsal aspect, close to its base, before it divides into lobes. It is of a 
pyriform shape, and the duct is much convoluted, and so large as readily to 
admit the fore finger of a full-grown man ; it discharges the bile into the 
upper extremity of the large intestines, and the point where it enters their 
outer coat is fully two inches higher than that at which it perforates the 
inner ; the duct between these two points is contracted and tortuous, and the 
terminal opening is not larger than would admit a pea. 
The spleen is closely connected with the inferior extremity of the stomach 
and the hinder surface of the small intestines, and, excepting where it winds 
under the apex of the former, is lobulate, as in the true sharks, and exhibits 
a striking resemblance to the spleen of Alopias valpes, Raf. The pancteas is 
slender, and partially encircles the upper extremity of the large intestines. 
DIMENSIONS. 
Feet. Inches. 
From tip of nose to anterior edge of 
pectoral fin 3 3 
Length of pectoral fin 3 2 
Breadth at its base 2 0 
Height of 1st dorsal fin 1 3 
Breadth of head about one foot in ad- 
vance of branchia 3 8-1 
Circumference of body immediately 
behind pectoral fins 9 3 
Circumference of body one foot behind 
pectoral fins 3 5 
Total length of fish 16 6 
The stomach was empty, and hence the precise food of the fish could not be 
ascertained. That a portion of it, at least, is derived from the mollusca, &c., 
Feet. Inches. 
From mouth to 1st dorsal fin 8 6 
1st to 2nd dorsal fin 2 0 
2nd dorsal to caudal fin 1 8 
Length of upper lohe of tail 4 0 
lower lobe of tail 2 10 
Distance between tip of nose and 1st 
branchia 2 10 
Distance between tip of nose and eye . 0 6 
eye and temporal 
spiracle 0 4^ 
Width of mouth 2 8 
