Supplement to the History of All Animals. 65

ON SHARKS AND DOGFISH (GALEI AND MUSTELI)

Authors classify the *Musteli*, or *Galei*, among the long, cylindrical, and cartilaginous fishes. They are so named not only because their elongated bodies resemble the terrestrial weasel (*Mustela*), but also due to several other shared characteristics discussed in the appropriate place. These fish are actually types of "sea-dogs." Writers use various names for them indiscriminately, alternating between the Latin *Musteli* and the Greek *Galei*; they are even frequently called *caniculae* (little dogs) because, in the manner of dogs, they inflict harm with their teeth.

A great many varieties of these fish have been recorded in the annals of natural history, including Aristotle’s "dog," the common *Canis Galeus*, Salviani’s Greater and Lesser *Catulus*, Gesner’s smooth *Mustelus*, the *Galeus Asterias*, Rondelet’s *Galeus glaucus*, and finally the *Galeus Acanthias*, also known as the *Spinax*.

Furthermore, we are able to expand the number of recorded illustrations by introducing another species of smooth *Galeus*, as well as a different variety of *Mustelus* that is thick, black, and curved. Among the common folk of Marseille, this latter fish is known as the *Gautus* or *Auguerus*, a name which Rondelet seems to interpret as the "Algae Cat."