THE SHARK. 199 
* Natural History of Barbadoes,” gives a good idea of the savage 
nature of this monster. “In the reign of Queen Anne a mer- 
chant-ship arrived at that island from England: some of the 
crew, ignorant of the danger of the recreation, were bathing in 
the sea, when a large shark appeared and swam directly towards 
them; being warned of their danger, however, they all hurried 
on board, where they arrived safe, except one poor fellow, who 
was bit in two by the shark, almost within reach of the oars. 
A comrade, and intimate friend of the unfortunate victim, 
when he observed the severed trunk of his companion, vowed 
his revenge. The voracious monster was seen traversing the 
bloody surface of the waves, in search of the remainder of his 
prey, when the brave youth plunged into the water. He held 
in his hand a long sharp-pointed knife; and the rapacious 
animal pushed furiously towards him. He had turned on his 
side and opened his enormous jaws, when the youth, diving 
dexterously, seized the shark with his left hand, somewhere 
below the upper fins, and stabbed him repeatedly in the belly. 
The animal, enraged with pain, and streaming with blood, 
attempted in vain to disengage himself. The crews of the sur- 
rounding vessels saw that the combat was decided; but they 
were ignorant which was slain, till the shark, exhausted by loss 
of blood, was seen nearer the shore, and along with him his 
gallant conqueror — who, flushed with victory, redoubled his 
efforts, and, with the aid of an ebbing tide, dragged him to the 
beach. Finally, he ripped open the stomach of the fish, and 
buried the severed half of his friend’s body with the trunk in 
the same grave.” 
It is no uncommon thing for the negroes, who are admirable 
divers, thus to attack and vanquish the dreaded shark, but suc 
Hammer-headed Shark, — (Squalus Zygena.) 
cess can only be achieved by consummate dexterity, and by 
those who are armed for this express purpose. 
1D 
