naturalist’s calendar. 
521 
times amongst their crevices. I at length, with the aid of a small hand-net, se¬ 
cured my friend in my basket. I then sat down on an approximate piece of 
rock, and took his dimensions and properties as follows: his extreme length 
that is, from the end of his tail, (as far out as I could get it, for the animal ap¬ 
peared to be able to draw it in or out at will) to the extremity ot his upper lip 
measured three inches and a half, and his height from the deepest part of his 
venter, to the summit of the back was three inches. The horns, which are stiff 
and solid, were about seven-eighths of an inch long. His skin is curiously 
marked with stars, as in the sketch, (Fig. 66,) and in texture very similar to that 
66 
Extreme Length 3J Inches, Height 3 Inches. 
of the shark. The skin is of a dark 
brown colour, gradually becoming white 
towards the venter. The fins are exces¬ 
sively sharp, and of the usual light co¬ 
lour; The eyes bright blue and quick 
of motion, and somewhat larger than 
proportion would suggest. The mouth 
seems formed very similar to the handle 
end of a pair of bellows, (the leather 
part) convenient for receiving small or 
larger particles of food. Round the edge 
of the mouth are twelve larger teeth 
very sharp, and inside them, and along 
the upper roof are an infinity of smaller 
ones, equally as destructive. The sketch 
is, as far as the dimensions go, I think, 
correct, though smaller than the one I have in my possession (dead). It is asto¬ 
nishing, the immense number of small fish about this size, that are to be met 
with in tropical climates, some of most beautiful dazzling colours, and graceful 
shapes, and others in the opposite extreme, of which latter class l fancy this 
must be the king. The front view is more hideous than the profile, and I must 
say when in his live state, I felt rather inclined, at times, to set him free again. 
If you think this worthy of a place in your interesting Register , you are sin¬ 
cerely welcome to it, such as the sketch and description are, and I only hope you 
may be able to find (which I cannot do) a name for it.—W m, Clayton, Esq, 
