ii2 WILD LIFE OF SCOTLAND 



idea of some large marine monster, which has 

 received the name of sea-serpent. 



As he grows to forty feet in length, this shark, 

 even without the help of imagination, would make 

 a respectable wonder ; and, as at certain seasons 

 he is gregarious, two in a row would be sufficient 

 to cause the hair to stand on end. Happily he is 

 not common off the east coast, and seldom attains 

 his maximum size there. 



Altogether the North Sea is an innocent place, 

 except for its winds, which are sometimes blustering 

 enough. There is not even a giant octopus to give 

 rise to a blood-curdling story, and no enemy to life 

 more deadly than the big brown jelly-fish (Cyanea 

 capillfita). 



Only a few scattered sharks, belonging to 

 different families; the big ones .with sharp teeth, 

 which they use on fishes, the little ones, and the 

 flat ones, with blunt teeth used for crushing shells. 

 The fiercest of them all can be trusted not to touch 

 the man, who is wise enough not to touch them. 



Only a few timid, and harmless mammals; all 

 of which together add to the variety, and interest, 

 without increasing the dangers of the deep. 



