26 
WHITE SHARK. 
the ‘'AnTiual Ergister,” for 1785, quoted in “Loudon’s Mag- 
azine of Natural History,” vol. vii, it is said that in September 
of that year, vast numbers of the West India Shark appeared 
in the Channel, and many of them were taken by fishermen 
of Brighton. The example presently to be described, and of 
which we give a figure, was of small size, and measured no 
more than fifty-four inches in length; but several others have 
been seen in Mount’s Bay in Cornwall, of much larger size; 
and one, which was seen by a gentleman who had often ob- 
served the White Shark in the West Indies, and was pronounced 
by him to be of the same species, measured about twenty feet 
in length. 
It appears necessary to make those remarks on the identity 
oi the species, since the Great Wliite Shark of the West 
Indies is said not to be furnished with a spiracle behind the 
eye; whereas in the description of our example it will be per- 
ceived that this organ existed, although it was of such small size 
as to be easily overlooked. This circumstance would transfer 
the species to the next following genus Galeus; of which no 
other British species is known beside the common Toper. But 
I prefer to let if remain in this place, at least until it is 
ascertained whether or not there is another species without a 
minute spiracle; and consequently whether or not naturalists 
are in error in that respect. 
Laid by the side of a Toper of the same length the difference 
was conspicuous, even at first sight, although the likeness was 
sufficiently near to bear a comparison. A well-marked distinction 
is in the eye, which stands out prominently, exceeding that of 
the Blue Shark in this respect, while in the Toper it is slightly 
below nhe level. The spiracle is very small, and barely 
on a level with the surface, where in the Toper there is a 
depression. The snout of the latter fish has the appearance of 
being longer, through the great thickness of the head, and 
prominency of the eye of our White Shark ; the snout of which 
is also substantially thicker, and consequently less flat. It is 
especially sunk in at the nostrils, where the Toper is much 
less so, and its nostrils are less open. Teeth notched on both 
edges; pectoral fins longer; the body thicker throughout, 
esjiecially from the abdominal fins to the tail. From the second 
dorsal to the tail, where the Toper is round, there is a cavity 
