An introduction to the study of fishesGünther, Albert C. L. G. (Albert Carl Ludwig Gotthilf)
Science
An introduction to the study of fishes
Günther, Albert C. L. G. (Albert Carl Ludwig Gotthilf)
Fishes; Ichthyology
Eight species are known from the southern parts of the European seas,
and one from the Moluccas; they do not appear to exceed a length
of five feet. According to the observations of E. P. Wright, some
of the species at least live at a considerable depth, perhaps at a
greater depth than any of the other known Sharks. The Portuguese
fishermen fish for them in 400 or 500 fathoms with a line of some 600
fathoms in length. The Sharks caught were specimens of _Centrophorus
coelolepis_, from three to four feet long. “These sharks, as they
were hauled into the boat, fell down into it like so many dead pigs;
there was not the smallest motion of their bodies. There can be no
reasonable doubt that they were inhabitants of the same great depth as
_Hyalonema_” and that, in fact, they were killed by being dragged
to the surface from the pressure of water under which they lived.
The dermal productions of some of the species have a very peculiar
form, being leaf-shaped, pedunculate, or ribbed, or provided with an
impression.
SPINAX.--Each dorsal fin with a spine. Teeth of the lower jaw
with the point so much turned aside that the inner margin of
the tooth forms the cutting edge. Upper teeth erect, each with
a long-pointed cusp and one or two small ones on each side.
Spiracles wide, superior, behind the eye.
Three small species from the Atlantic and the southern extremity of
America. _Centroscyllium_ is an allied genus from the coast of
Greenland.
SCYMNUS.--Two short dorsal fins without spine, the first at a
considerable distance from the ventrals. Dermal productions
uniformly small. Nostrils at the extremity of the snout. Upper
teeth small, pointed; lower much larger, dilated, erect,
triangular, not very numerous. Spiracles wide.
A single species, _S. lichia_, is rather common in the Mediterranean
and the neighbouring parts of the Atlantic.
LÆMARGUS.--All the fins small; two dorsal fins, without spine,
the first at a considerable distance from the ventrals. Skin
uniformly covered with minute tubercles. Nostrils near the
extremity of the snout. The upper teeth small, narrow, conical;
the lower teeth numerous, in several series, the point so much
turned aside that the inner margin forms a cutting, non-serrated
edge. Jaws feeble. Spiracles of moderate width.
[Illustration: Fig. 123.--Dentition of the Greenland Shark. Some
teeth are represented of the natural size; those of the lower jaw
in three series.]
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