SHARKS. 
309 
Genus Scyllium. (Cuv.) 
In this genus, belonging to the fourth of the 
above Sub-families, we find spiracles on the temples 
distinct, though small. There is an anal fin, as 
well as two dorsals ; the first dorsal placed opposite 
or behind the ventrals, the second behind the anal : 
the head is short, and the muzzle rounded ; the 
nostrils, pierced near the mouth, are continued 
by a fissure in the upper lip, forming valves. The 
teeth are small and acute, with a small point on 
each side of the principal lobe. The caudal is 
lengthened, oblique, irregularly lobed, and trun- 
cate (or apparently cut short) at the tip. 
The names of Dog, Hound, Beagle, and such 
like, commonly applied to the common Sharks of 
this and other similar genera, are believed to have 
reference to their habit of following their prey in 
packs. They may have allusion also to the pre- 
valent style of colouring in these fishes ; spots 
of varying size, of black, brown, or liver-colour 
profusely scattered over a light ground, often 
clouded with brown and yellow. 
Like the rest of the Family the Dog-fishes are 
ground feeders ; a habit indicated by the posi- 
tion of the mouth beneath the projecting snout. 
This habit is not at variance with the fact 
that several species, such as the Basking, the 
White, and the Blue Sharks, frequent the warm 
surface of the sea, at certain seasons, as this 
has reference to other requirements in their 
economy. 
We have two British species of this genus, 
of which the Large-spotted Dog, or Bounce 
