SHARKS 55 



The flesh is rather coarse, and was formerly despised as 

 food ; nowadays, however, a number of these sharks are 

 landed each year, the majority going to the fried-fish shops. 

 In olden times the rough skin was much used for polishing 

 wood and ivory, as well as for hilts for swords, sheaths for 

 knives, coverings for boxes, etc. It was also dried and crushed 

 up for medicinal purposes, being prescribed as a sovereign 

 remedy for the itch and for other skin complaints. 



The name " Angel-fish " refers to the " shoulder " of the 

 pectoral fin, the shape of which is held to resemble the bend 

 of the conventional angel's wing, while the name " Monk- 

 fish " has reference to the supposed appearance of a cowl on 

 its head. Another popular name, " Fiddle-fish ", is derived 

 from its general shape. The scientific name, Squatina, is a 

 very old name for this shark, but its actual derivation is 

 doubtful. 



OANO 4MABW 



