THE BASKING SHARK. 411) 



pectoral fin of moderate size for so large a fisli, the form somewhat 

 triangular^ placed close to the last branchial orifice, convex ante- 

 riorly and thick, slightly concave and much thinner behind ; the ven- 

 tral fins also of moderate size, rather elongated at the base, placed 

 behind the middle of the whole length of the fish, convex in front, 

 concave behind, the inner and posterior half free, exhibiting in the 

 male the cylindrical appendage. The first dorsal fin, placed before 

 the middle of the whole length of the fish, is much the larger of the 

 two, forming an elevated triangle ; anterior edge but slightly convex, 

 posterior edge concave, with an elongated point at the base directed 

 backwards ; the second dorsal fin much smaller than the first, rounded 

 above, attached throughout half its base only, and placed at two- 

 thirds of the distance from the first dorsal to the caudal fin ; anal fin 

 is still smaller than the second dorsal, but of the same shape. From 

 the line of the anal fin to the base of the tail, there is a strong and 

 prominent keel-like edge on each side ; and just in advance of the 

 base of the caudal fin ; both above and below, is a groove, that un- 

 derneath rather smaller than that above. The caudal fin divided in- 

 to two lobes, the upper one larger than the lower ; the posterior edge 

 of the caudal fin appears to become notched and abraded by age and 

 use, and is frequently found unequal at its margin, and variable in 

 shape." — (Yarrell.) 



The Basking Shark, one of the largest of this tribe of 

 fishes, has been observed several times on the British coast. 

 Mr Low considers it as common in the Orkneys. Dr Neill 

 states in the Wernerian Transactions, vol. i., that it is 

 common in the Scottish seas, occasionally, though seldom, 

 entering the Firth of Forth. It has been taken, accord- 

 ing to Mr Yarrell, on the coasts of Waterford, Wales, 

 Cornwall, Devonshire, and several times at different places 

 on the coast of Sussex. It has been known to measure 

 thirty-six feet in length. Pennant supposes that it subsists 

 entirely on marine plants, for on examination of the con- 

 tents of the stomach, no remains of fish have been found. 

 Mr Low says, that a specimen he examined contained a 

 red pulpy mass, like bruised crabs or the roe of Echini. 

 Its food is considered by Linnaeus to be Medusae. It 

 is stated by Blainville, that no less than four distinct spe- 



Dd2 



