THE BLUE SHARK. 197 



maraudings, it tries to bite the line asunder, a feat easily performed by its lancet-like teeth 

 with their notched edges. 



Sometimes, however, it takes to another stratagem, and as soon as it feels the hook, rolls 

 itself round so rapidly on its axis, that it winds the line round its body into a mass of inex- 

 tricable entanglement. So effectually is this feat achieved, that, in spite of the value of the 

 line, the fishermen have been known to give up any attempt to unravel its knotty con- 

 volutions. This fish has another fashion of biting the line asunder without any apparent 

 reason. 



Perhaps, however, it never is so thoroughly destructive as in the pilchard season, when it 

 follows the vast shoals of these fish to the continental shores, and devours them wholesale. 

 Even when they are inclosed in the net, the Blue Shark is not to be baffled or deprived of its 

 expected banquet ; for, swimming along the whole length of the net, it bites at the inclosed 

 fish, caring nothing for the meshes, and taking out large mouthfuls of mingled net and 

 pilchards, swallows them together. 



The sailors have an idea that this voracious fish is able to succor her young, when in 

 danger, by opening her mouth and letting them swim down her throat. It is undoubtedly 

 true, that living young have been found in the stomach of large sharks ; but whether they 

 had been swallowed as a means of protection, is by no means proved. The reader will doubt- 

 lessly remember the similar stories that have been told of the viper and other poisonous 

 snakes. 



The skull of a Shark shows the terrible teeth with which it is armed. They lie in several 

 rows, ready to take the place of those which are broken or cast off when their work is done. 

 From these teeth, which cut like broken glass, the natives of many savage lands make tools 

 and weapons of war, by ingeniously fixing them into wooden handles. 



The voracity and dullness of nerve belonging to the Shark is really wonderful. One of 

 my friends was fishing after a large Shark that was following the vessel, and, after a little 

 time, succeeded in inducing the fish to take the great hook that had been nicely baited with 

 pork to suit his palate. Too sudden a jerk, however, having been given to the line, the hook 

 tore its way through the side of the cheek, setting the Shark free. The wound was a terrible 

 one, and bled profusely ; but the Shark seemed to care little or nothing about it, still hovered 

 about the bait, as if unable to resist its attractions, and after a little while was hooked a 

 second time and hauled safely on board. 



The capture of a Shark is always an event on board ship, especially if she be a sailing 

 vessel and the wind has fallen. A hook made for the purpose is secured to a fathom or so of 

 iron chain, the Shark being capable of biting through a rope in an instant, and in no way so 

 particular in its diet as to need fine tackle. Indeed, as in the last-mentioned instance, the 

 creature seems to be perfectly aware of the danger, but to be incapable of resisting the tempt- 

 ing morsel. The other end of the chain is firmly lashed to a stout rope, and the latter secured 

 to the vessel, as one rush of a powerful Shark would pull halt' a dozen men overboard. 



All things being ready, a good large piece of pork is fixed tightly on the hook, and 

 allowed to tow overboard. The Shark, being to the full as inquisitive as the cat, comes up 

 with true feline curiosity, and sniffs at the bait with an air of deliberate scrutiny. Some- 

 times, having perhaps lately partaken of a good meal, it is very coy about taking the bait, 

 and keeps the anxious anglers above in a state of tantalized impatience for an hour or more. 

 Generally, however, it dashes at the bait at once, and has even been known to leap from the 

 water and hook itself before the bait had even reached the surface. 



Now begins a mighty struggle, and all is eager excitement. The Shark knows no wiles, 

 but uses all its great strength to tear away from the hook by sheer force, having apparently 

 but slight sense of pain, and in many cases would do so were not a check put upon its efforts 

 by a rope knotted into a bowline and dexterously slipped over its tail. Being now held by 

 both extremities, it is shorn of its strength, like Samson without his locks, and lifted on deck 

 by both lines. Sometimes a trident-like harpoon, technically called a "grains," the handle of 

 which is heavily loaded with lead to make it fall with greater force, is dropped upon the 

 struggling fish. 



