418 Fishes. 



on the under side. The male shark is smaller than the 

 female, and differs from it in appearance, in possessing 

 two elongated appendages, one of which is attached to 

 the hinder edge of each of the ventral fins. The purpose 

 which these appendages are intended to serve is not known. 

 Some of the Sharks produce their young alive, and others 

 lay eggs contained in horny cases of an oblong shape, 

 with long tendrils at each of the four corners. After the 

 young Sharks are hatched, these curious cases are often 

 washed on shore, and are called mermaids' purses. 



The bones of the Shark are like gristle, and very dif- 

 ferent from those of most other fishes. Hence all the 

 fishes with bones similar to those of the Shark are placed 

 in a separate order, and called cartilaginous fishes. 



The White Shark is sometimes found weighing nearly 

 two thousand pounds. The throat is often large enough 

 to swallow a man ; and a human body has sometimes 

 been found entire in the stomach of this tremendous 

 animal. He is furnished with six rows of sharp tri- 

 angular teeth, which amount in all to a hundred and 

 forty-four, serrated on their edges, and capable of being 

 erected or depressed at pleasure, owing to a curious 

 muscular mechanism in the palate and jaws of the Shark. 

 The whole body and fins are of a light ash-colour ; the 

 skin rough, and employed to smooth cabinet work, or 

 to cover small boxes or cases. His eyes are large and 

 staring, and he possesses great muscular strength in his 

 tail and fins. Whenever he spies, from the deepest re- 

 cesses of the sea, a man swimming or diving, he darts 

 from the place, pp to his prey, and if unable to take in 

 the whole, or snatch away a limb, he follows for a long 

 time the boat or vessel in which the more nimble swim- 

 mer has found a safe and opportune retreat : but seldom 

 does he let any one escape his jaws, and get off entire. 

 Sir Brook Watson was swimming at a little distance 

 from a ship, when he saw a Shark making towards him. 

 Struck with terror at its approach, he cried out for 

 assistance. A rope was instantly thrown; but even 

 while the men were in the act of drawing him up the 

 ship's side, the monster darted after him, and, at a single 

 snap, tore off his leg. 



