CHIMERAS. S99 



the ventrals, and by a very singular hoe-like horn 

 on the snout, bent forwards and tipped with 

 spines. In the Northern Chimgera \Chimcera 

 monstrosa, Linn.) the head is strangely uncouth, 

 the snout ascending in a blunt point ; the mouth 

 far below, small ; the face and cheeks scored with 



irregular waved furrows. The colours are beau- 

 tiful ; many shades of rich brown, on a shining 

 white ground; the eyes are particularly large and 

 brilliant. It attains three feet in length, and is 

 sometimes seen on the northern coasts of Scot- 

 land. From its pursuit of the shoals of Herrings, 

 on which it principally feeds, it is sometimes 

 called the King of the Herrings. The female 

 deposits large leathery eggs or capsules, flattened, 

 with velvety margins, having some resemblance 

 to those of Sharks or Rays. These eggs are 

 esteemed by the Norwegians, who eat them in 

 pastry ; the flesh of the animal is coarse, hard, 

 and uneatable. An oil is extracted in copious 



