WHITE SHARK. 275 



The Beluga differs from the last species chiefly in 

 having the lips entire, and the mouth considerably nar- 

 rower than it is long. 



25. SHARK TRIBE. 



This is a numerous and most destructive^tribe. Some 

 of the species are of such immense size, as to weigh from 

 one to four thousand pounds each. A few of them 

 swim in shoals, but by far the greater part are solitary. 

 Their young ones are produced each in a square horny 

 case, terminated at the four corners by a slender fila- 

 ment. 



White Shark. The savage voracity of these immense 

 animals is such as to render them the dread of every one. 

 Of an enormous length and bulk, and of powers of 

 motion greater than those of most other fish, they 

 eagerly seize upon and devour every kind of animal or 

 animal substance which comes within their reach. In 

 numerous instances, mankind have fallen a prey to their 

 insatiable appetite. The consequence of this is a great 

 fear, in all seamen, of bathing in any of the seas where 

 they are at all common. The late Sir Brook Watson, 

 Bart., was an instance of the danger of this ; for, in 

 swimming in the West Indies, a Shark snapped off one 

 of his legs, before his companions had time to warn him 

 of the danger. The mouth of the Shark is of the most 

 dreadful appearance, containing six rows of teeth, which 

 are capable of being raised and depressed at pleasure. 

 It is, however, so situated under the head, that the 

 animal is unable to seize upon its prey, in any other 

 position than by throwing itself on one side, which 

 not unfrequently affords time for escape. The flesh of 



