CARCHARIAS. 85 



is probably as large as the primitive whales, 

 but those animals which were certainly on the dry 

 land once, corresponding in bulk and power to 

 those in the ocean, no longer have a being. 



But to return ; — the white shark, in his wide, 

 dilatable jaws, has six rows of sharp, triangular 

 teeth, which can be raised or depressed by appro- 

 priate muscles, at pleasure. Its velocity is such, 

 that nothing seems to be able to escape, and its 

 greediness is never to be satisfied. By one gripe of 

 the jaws, they can cut a man in two. A red 

 hot cannon ball is sometimes lowered over 

 the side to one of these disagreeable followers 

 of a ship, which the seaman has the satisfaction 

 of seeing the shark receive, into his yawning 

 throat. 



At the pearl fisheries of South America, where 

 white sharks are numerous, visiting the mighty cav- 

 erns in the rocks, the water being so clear, that a 

 small object may be seen at considerable distance, 

 the divers, familiar with the character of the mon- 

 ster, in their descents for the oyster, are obliged to 

 go armed, in self defence. For this purpose, some 

 carry a long sharp knife. As the shark's mouth is 

 placed somewhat under the head, he endeavors to 

 get over his intended victim, and if he discovers 

 no disposition in the Indian to move, gently settles 

 down over him with his horrible mouth widely 



