FISHES FOUND IN THE VICINITY OF WOODS HOLE. 
89 
ALOFIIDiE. The Thresher Sharks. 
9. Alopias vulpes (Gmelin). Thresher; “Thrasher;” Swingle-tail. (*) 
Common in Vineyard Sound in vicinity of Menemsha; also found in Buzzards Bay. Not infre- 
quently caught in the fish traps. In fall the hoat cod fishermen at Gay Head catch them on lines 
haited with fresh herring. At Woods Hole three “thrashers” 16 feet long were taken one morning in 
a trap at the breakwater. Specimens 20 feet long have been caught at Menemsha. Some only 4 feet 
long have been obtained. This species comes in April and remains until late in fall. 
CARCHARIIDiE. The Sand Sharks. 
10. Carcharias littoralis (Mitchill). “Sand Shark.” (* t) 
The commonest shark in this region, found from June to November, and often caught with traps 
and lines. The largest are 12 feet long ; the average length is 4£ or 5 feet. Fish, crabs, and various 
other animals are found in their stomachs. 
ZiAMNIDJE. The Mackerel Sharks. 
11. Isurus dekayi (Gill). “Mackerel Shark.” (* t) 
Quite common in Vineyard Sound and Buzzards Bay. Most numerous in fall, remaining till end 
of November. Largest 10 feet long ; average 4 to 5 feet. 
12. Carcharodon carcharias (Linnaeus). Man-eater Shark. (*) 
Rare. Reported by Professor Baird in his 1871 list. The U. S. National Museum contains several 
specimens sent from Woods Hole. 
SQUALIDiE. The Dog-Fishes. 
13. Squalus acanthias Linnaeus. Dogfish; “ Horned Dogfish.” (* t) 
Less abundant than formerly, and comparatively scarce in 1897. When the fish factory was 
established at Woods Hole, this was the principal fish utilized in the manufacture of oil and guano; 
later, the scarcity or irregularity of the supply necessitated the use of menhaden. When the horned 
dogfish first comes, in May, it feeds largely on ctenophores. 
SQUATINIDiE. The Angel Sharks. 
14. Squatina squatina (Linnaeus). Angel-fish ; Monkfish. (*) 
A specimen weighing 35 or 40 pounds and 3 or 4 feet long was taken in a fish trap at Menemsha 
Bight, September 1, 1873. It was sent to Washington at the time. The species has not since been 
observed. 
RAJIDiE. The Skates. 
15. Raja erinacea Mitchill. Summer Skate ;“ Bonnet Skate.” (* t) 
The commonest species of skate in this region. Found from June to October. In allusion to the 
habit the fish has of rolling itself up when caught, the local fishermen call it the “bonnet skate.” 
16. Raja ocellata Mitchill. Big Skate; “ Winter Skate.” (* t) 
Common from February to June and from October 15 to end of trap fishing. Either absent or very 
rare in summer. 
17. Raja radiata Donovan. Starry Ray. (*) Not common. 
18. Raja eglanteria Bose. Brier Ray. (* t) 
Not common. A few taken every year in traps at Menemsha; formerly caught at the breakwater. 
19. Raja las vis Mitchill. “ Barndoor Skate.” (* t) Common in spring and fall, rare in summer. 
NARCOBATIDiE. The Electric Rays. 
20. Tetranarce occidentalis (Storer). Torpedo; “Crampfish.” (* t) 
Not uncommon in Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound from May to November. Most numerous in 
October and November. At times as many as half a dozen are taken at one lift of a trap at Menemsha. 
The average weight is 30 pounds, the maximum 75 pounds, and the minimum 4 or 5 pounds. 
