,oS WHITE SHARK. Class IV. 



ftate of repofe, lie quite flat in the mouth, but 

 when he feizes his prey, he has power of erecting 

 them, by the help of a fet of mufcles that join 

 them to the jaw. 



The mouth is placed far beneath, for which 

 reafon thefe, as well as the reft of the kind, are 

 faid to be obliged to turn on their backs to feize 

 their prey, which is an obfervation as antient as the 

 days of Pliny *. 



The eyes are large •, the back broad, flat, and 

 fhorter than that of other fharks. The tail is of 

 a femilunar form, but the upper part is longer 

 than the lower. It has vaft ftrength in the tail, 

 and can ftrike with great force, fo that the fail- 

 ors inftantly cut it off with an axe as foon as they 

 draw one on board. 



The pectoral fins are very large, which enables 

 it to fwim with great fwiftnefs. 



The color of the whole body and fins is a light 

 afh. 



The antients were acquainted with this fifli ; and 

 Oppian gives a long and entertaining account of its 

 capture. Their flefh is fometimes eaten, but is ef- 

 teemed both coarfe and rank. 



* Omnia autem carnwora funt talia et fupina vefcantur. 

 lib. IX. c. 24. 



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