366 NATURAL HISTORY IN ANECDOTE. 



" Although it has once or twice been caught on our coasts, " 

 says Mr. Wood, "it is usually found in the Mediterranean, 

 where its powers are well known, and held in some awe. 

 The shock that the Torpedo gives, of course, varies according 

 to the size of the fish and its state of health, but a tolerably 

 large fish in good health can, for the time, disable a strong 

 man. From the effects of its shock, it is in some parts called 

 the Cramp-fish. It has been known to weigh from seventy to 

 a hundred pounds." 



The Shark. The Shark, whose name instinctively suggests 

 a shudder, is the largest of the fishes and one of the largest of 

 marine animals. There are many varieties, and they are found 

 in all seas ; some measuring no more than a few feet, others 

 attaining to very large proportions. The Blue Shark of the 

 Mediterranean which measures about eleven feet sometimes 

 approaches the south coast of England and Ireland, as does 

 the Hammer-headed Shark of the Atlantic and the Indian 

 Ocean, a shark of twelve -feet in length. The Tope a smaller 

 variety is often seen in the English Channel, as are also several 

 others of the smaller Sharks. The Great Basking Shark which 

 often measures thirty feet in the length is the largest of those 

 which visit the English coast, but like the largest of all the 

 sharks (Rhinodon Typicus) which sometimes exceeds fifty feet 

 in length is herbivorous, and therefore not bloodthirsty. 

 The "White The Shark known to sailors as the White Shark 



Shark. j s a fierce and sanguinary creature. It frequents 

 the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, where it follows 

 ships for days for the sake of the refuse, which is thrown over- 

 board. This creature has been known to swallow a man en- 

 tire, and commonly to devour one in two or three portions. 

 Sailors get no mercy from the shark and consequently show 

 him none. There is a story told of a negro cook who seeing 

 a shark follow in the wake of a ship made a brick hot in the 

 stove, and then threw it to the monster who probably never 

 had a warmer or more indigestible meal. This shark suffered 



