62 GIANT FISHES 



The remarkable toothed rostrum of these rays is worthy of 

 some attention, as it is a structure found only in one other 

 group of fishes. In a large Saw-fish it forms a formidable 

 weapon, and " saws " 6 feet long and a foot in width across 

 the base are by no means rare objects. The rostrum is 

 supported inside by prolongations of the cartilages of the 

 skull, more or less strengthened by the addition of limy 

 matter, which take the form of from 3 to 5 tube-like structures. 

 It is of interest to note that ignorance of the true nature of 

 these tubes led a scientist to describe one of them as the arm 

 of a giant star-fish, to which he gave the generic name of 

 Myriosteon. The teeth along the edges of the rostrum, which 

 are firmly implanted in deep sockets, are actually much 

 enlarged dermal denticles. The true teeth, set in pavement 

 formation in the straight slit-like mouth on the lower side of 

 the head, are small and quite blunt. 



The " saw " may occasionally be used as a defensive weapon, 

 but as a general rule its purpose is to obtain food, and this 

 may be done in two different ways. The Saw-fish may grub 

 about in the sand or mud, turning it over in its search for 

 small fishes and other creatures lying buried there, or it may 

 rise among a shoal of fishes swimming in the water, and, by 

 striking rapidly from side to side, create havoc among them, 

 leaving a number of stunned or dead victims to be devoured 

 at leisure. On occasions it may even attack larger fishes, 

 cutting large lumps of flesh from their bodies with the " saw ", 

 but stories of its attacking whales are probably without 

 foundation. 



The normal food consists mainly of fishes, mullet and 

 sardines being especial favourites, but crustaceans and other 

 ground-living creatures are also eaten. It is believed that 

 Saw-fish will attack man, but reliable records of this habit 

 are difficult to find. The fact remains, however, that it is 

 held in great dread by the natives in parts of India, and Dr. 

 Day, an authority on Indian fishes, states that, although not 

 personally a witness to the occurrence, he had been informed 

 on native authority that a large Saw-fish had once cut a 

 bathex entirely in two. 



A glance at the general outlines of the Saw-fish shows at 

 once that it has retained a number of shark-like features. 



