272 Dzvellcrs of the Sea and Shore 



pursuit of herrings. It frequently plays havoc with the 

 nets of fishing trawls, its sharp teeth cutting them to 

 tatters. This is the "man-eater" shark so often figured 

 in stories and tales of travel. Very likely its reputation 

 is well deserved. It seems to be absolutely fearless. 

 When it is captured with a hook and hauled on board, 

 the utmost care is necessary in order to avoid serious 

 injury from its mouth or tail. The deadly movements 

 of the latter are generally interrupted by a sailor's 



.MAN-EATING SHARK. 



springing forward and cutting the spine above the tail 

 fin with an ax. 



The Greenland shark {Lacmargus borealis) is the 

 notable exception to the order. It inhabits the cold 

 northern seas, and is rarely seen elsewhere. The two 

 dorsal fins are small. In size it approaches that of the 

 white shark, but its head and teeth are smaller. Never- 

 theless, its ability to use its jaws with effect is testified 

 by many reliable observers. It is a truculent enemy of 

 large whales, these having been frequently found with 

 pieces bitten out of their tails by this animal. Whalers 

 have reported that while a crew was occupied in cutting 

 away the blubber of a killed whale, a Greenland shark 



