PLATYSOMI. 105 



two, that measured not far from forty feet in 

 length. 



Within the mouth a kind of whalebone is peal- 

 ed out, which has also given it the name of 

 the whalebone shark. On the best authori- 

 ty, it is said they are viviparous, the young, a 

 foot long having been taken out of the bodies of 

 the females. Simply the liver, has weighed a 

 thousand pounds, in some of the large ones, caught 

 on the northern coasts of Europe, yielding a 

 profitable quantity of oil, for which purpose they 

 are sought. 



Not appearing to be very timid or susceptible, 

 they will lie perfectly quiet, till the intrepid har- 

 pooneer, who has approached him cautiously, 

 drives the instrument of death into the vital regions, 

 before he begins to move with the warp. 



GEN. TORPEDO. 



TORPEDO THE "NUMBING FISH," Torpedo 

 Vulgaris. That a variety of this remarkable fish 

 has been taken on these northern shores cannot 

 be questioned, though we frankly confess our ina- 

 bility to procure one. Individuals who have ac- 

 companied fishing parties, corroborate the testimo- 

 ny of those who assert that they have drawn up a 

 strange creature, something like a skate, which 

 they not caring to preserve, or even handle, in at- 



