The Dog-Fish.] OP ORKNEY. 171 



The piked dog has his name from two sharp spines placed 

 before his back fins, which are a sort of weapons of defence 

 he can make good use of; when caught, he writhos himself 

 around the fishermens hands, often, if they are not attentive, 

 wounding them very severely, which, if it happen in a part 

 near a joint, is always dangerous and bad to heal, making the 

 part swell, and look very red and fiery, and often endanger- 

 ing a gangrene. Whether this proceeds from any vicious 

 juices about these spines, or from the violent dilaceration of 

 the parts, which may affect them otherwise than an ordinary 

 cut, I am unacquainted, and must submit to those better ac- 

 quainted with the nature of wounds : but however it is, our 

 fishermen always fear these dreadful weapons, and when the 

 fish is hooked and brought up, commonly catch it by the 

 tail, and, with a smart jerk against the edge of the boat, dis- 

 able it. 



* * With the Anal Fin. 



Species 2.— TAe Basking-Shm-k. 



Squalus naaximus, Sq. dentibus caninis, pinna dorsali anteriore majore, Lin. Si/s. 

 400. The Basking Shark, Brit. Zool. 78. Ore. Hoe-Mother. 



This is the most common species of the larger Sharks 

 found in these seas. It is frequently seen in the harbour of 

 Stromness, and other creeks of these isles, and in the open sea. 



