BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 255 
09'. They were feeding on hermit crabs and a gastropod resembling 
I Natica. 
May 8. In the afternoon the Grampus took a female of this skate on 
j a hand-line. In its stomach were numerous hermit crabs of good size. 
The shells of the crabs were not present, except a single small one. 
May 9. Males of this species were taken from the Grampus on hand- 
lines in about 37° 46' north latitude, 74° 15' west longitude. 
In the afternoon of May 9, in about north latitude 38° 03', west 
longitude 74° 10', we took barn-door skates of both sexes and found 
crabs in their stomachs. 
SQUALITS ACANTHIAS. 
April 23. Young examples were taken in a purse seine by Capt. Sol 
Eowe 30 miles off Hog Island in company with Prionotus , Glupea , Lo - 
phius , and Scomber. 
April 24. Five dogfish were caught on hand-lines; their stomachs 
were empty. One female contained young 6 inches long. When the 
young were dropped into a pail of water they tried to swim. Opening 
the abdomen of a dogfish does not prevent it from swimming off into 
and under the water at a rapid rate. 
April 26. In the evening dogfish were taken on hand-lines. 
April 27. Many examples, principally females, were brought up on 
lines in north latitude 37° 43', west longitude 74° 15'. One male had on 
his livery of numerous large milk-white spots. The females had no 
large spots, but a few small ones. The green eye of this species is re- 
markable. 
May 7. The Grampus caught several dogfish, all of which were females 
but one, in about north latitude 39° 20', west longitude 73° 09', and on 
May 8 two females were taken in north latitude 38° 25', west longitude 
740 06', 28 fathoms. 
May 9. In about north latitude 37° 46', west longitude 74° 15', dog- 
fish were taken from the Grampus on hand lines. 
May 11. In about north latitude 38° 1 L', west longitude 74° 23', from 
23 fathoms the Grampus took several dogfish with fresh mackerel for 
bait. Several fish at a time would follow the hook up to the surface. 
Very early in the morning of May 12 about a dozen dogfish measur- 
ing 15 inches or so in length were taken from the gill-nets of the Gram- 
pus. Later in the same day in about north latitude 38° 30', west longi- 
tude 74° 02', additional specimens were taken on hand-lines. 
During the afternoon of the same day in about north latitude 38° 
03', west longitude 74° 10', we took dogfish, mostly females, and found 
in their stomachs Prionotus. 
May 12. During the evening, which was remarkably fine with a 
smooth sea, swarms of dogfish were seen at the surface, their dorsal 
fins showing out of water. They were generally in pairs. Capt. D. E. 
Collins told me that he has seen myriads of them on the fishing banks 
