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BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
I.— ANNOTATED LIST OF FISHES KNOWN TO INHABIT THE WOODS HOLE REGION. 
In the following list there are arranged in systematic order, by families, all species 
of fishes known to have been found in the vicinity of Woods Hole. In nomenclature 
and sequence of species, the “Check List of the Fishes and Fish-like Vertebrates of 
North and Middle America” 1 has been followed. The local names which the fishes 
bear in this region are indicated by means of quotation marks. The existence in 
collections of specimens from this section is for convenience and brevity designated 
for each species by means of signs; an asterisk (*) referring to the fish collection of 
the U. S. National Museum in Washington, a dagger (t) to the local museum of the 
Fish Commission at Woods Hole, and a section mark (§) to the laboratory of the 
Fish Commission at Washington. The fishes enumerated represent 88 families, 160 
genera, and 209 species. The families having a noteworthy mtmber of species are 
the Clupeidaz, 9 species; the Scombridce, 11 species; the Carangidce , 18 species; the 
Sciwnidce, 7 species; and the Gadidce, 9 species. 
PETROMYZONIDiE. The Lampreys. 
1. Petromyzon marinus Linnaeus. Great Sea Lamprey ; “Lamprey Eel”; “ Lumper Eel.” (* t; 
Not abundant. Taken in traps in Buzzards Bay in May and June. 
GALEID.33. The Requiem Sharks. 
2. Mustelus canis (Mitchill). Smooth Dogfish ; “Dogfish”; “ Switchtail.” (* t) 
Very abundant from about June 1 to November. Feeds mostly on crabs. The largest examples 
are 5 feet long, the usual length being 3 feet. 
3. Galeocerdo tigrinus Miiiler & Henle* Tiger Shark; “ Spotted Shark.” (*) 
Present every year in variable abundance, and caught in traps in Vineyard Sound and Buzzards 
Bay. The last species of shark to appear in this region, rarely coming before August. It remains 
until October. Usual length, 5 feet. 
4. Prionace glauca (Linnoeus). Great Blue Shark. (*) 
Very rare, apparently only one having been taken; this was obtained from a trap in July, 1877. 
5. Carcharhinus obscurus (LeSueur). Dusky Shark; “Shovel-nose.” (* t) 
Very common, but less so than the sand shark. Taken in traps and on lines fished from wharves. 
Comes about June 1 and remains through a part of November. The largest observed here^are 12 to 14 
feet long; the average are 8 or 9 feet, and the smallest are 24 feet. 
6. Carcharhinus milberti (Miiiler & Henle). Blue Shark. (*) 
Given by Professor Baird in his 1871 list. Four examples about 4 feet long were taken in a trap 
at the breakwater, on August 8, 1873, and sent to Washington. None has since been observed. Their 
color is described by Mr. Edwards as being an intense, almost indigo, blue. 
7. Carcharhinus limbatus (Muller & Henle). Spotted-fin Shark. (*) 
Observed on only one occasion. In 1878 at least 20 wero taken in traps at the breakwater and 
Quisset Harbor during a period of three weeks. All were about 4 feet long, and all were found dead 
in the traps. The “ stray specimen taken at Woods Hole, Mass.,” referred to in several lists of Ameri- 
can fishes, was one of the foregoing lot that was sent to Washington. 
SPHYRNIDiE. The Hammer-headed Sharks. 
8. Sphyrna zygaena (Linnteus). Hammer -headed Shark ; “Hammerhead”; “ Eakeliead.” (* t) 
Usually common; some years abundant. Taken in traps from July to October, being most 
numerous in July and August. Generally swims with its dorsal and caudal fins out of the water. 
The largest ones taken here are 7 or 8 feet long; the smallest are under 14 feet, and the average are 4 
feet. The name “rakehead” is an old local designation of this species 
Report U. S. Fish Commission, 1895. 
