102 WILD LIFE OF SCOTLAND 



The smooth hound (Mustelus vulgaris) is about 

 four or five feet in length, and very mild for a 

 shark. He lives largely on molluscs ; or anything 

 else of an innocent, and inexpensive nature that 

 comes in his way. He appears on the coast in May, 

 or June, swimming quite close inshore in search of 

 food ; so close, indeed, that he is frequently trapped 

 in the salmon-nets. 



The white hound, or tope (Galeus vulgar is), a 

 much more spirited creature for his size, would 

 seem to swim lower than the smooth hound, since 

 he manages to escape the drift nets. He has been 

 very troublesome to the fisherman of late, by 

 taking the bait, and probably the fish as well. 

 When hooked, he allows himself to be drawn near 

 enough to the surface. But as soon as he comes 

 within sight of the boat, and realises the state of 

 matters, he snaps the hair, and disappears. No 

 wonder that so many hooks are found inside when 

 he is opened. 



The blue shark (Carcharias glaucus), under 

 favourable conditions, attains to nearly five feet, 

 but is seldom found off our coast full grown, or of 

 sufficient size to be dangerous to man. He con- 

 fines himself to herring, mackerel, and other shoals ; 

 and would probably do so under any circumstances. 



