15(3 FISHES OF THE EAST ATLANTIC COAST. 



family. I have killed small ones of three feet long, on a rod. 



THE NURSE SHARK Scyttium cirratum (Cuv.) This is a sluggish 

 species of shark, reddish brown in color, eyes small, barbs depending 

 from the mouth, teeth very small, q but strong. I have seen notches 

 bitten out of a knife by this fish, in cutting out a hook; lives on the 

 bottom, and when it takes a hook gives no play at all, but hangg 

 like a dead weight. From five to ten feet long, according to Pro- 

 fessor Jordan, and inhabits warm latitudes. 



SAWFISH. Pristis antiquorum (Latham.^- Belongs to the Se- 

 lachians, or shark family, and resembles a shark in form and arrange- 

 ment of fins, with a long bony protuberance extending from the 

 uppei jaw. This is about one-quarter to one third the length of the 

 fish; has at short intervals -sharp spines projecting from eacri side, 

 like the teeth of a comb, making a fearful weapon, with which the 

 saw-fish strikes and kills its prey, consisting of mullet and other fish. 

 The mouth is large and toothless, and is situated, like the shark's, 

 beneath the snout ; into this the fish which are killed by the saw 

 are received. It is sluggish, lying usually on the bottom, waiting 

 for its prey, and when disturbed by a passing boat will, if of large 

 size, strike powerful and dangerous blows with the saw, which has- 

 a lateral motion. 



Between the saw-fish and the shark are frequent battles, and as 

 the latter is very fond of its cousin, the saw is often found on the 

 beach, the wearer having been devoured. This species grows to the 

 length of fifteen feet, and are then formidable to encounter. The 

 liver contains much oil, for which the saw-fish is sometimes har- 

 pooned * I have taken the smaller specimens of three or four feet 

 long with rod and reel ; they take the bait quietly, so that you think 

 your hook is fast to the bottom ; after long pulling, up comes'first a 

 savage looking saw, striking right and left. To disable this fish 

 strike it a heavy blow with a club at the junction of the saw with 

 the head; by this it is paralyzed and can be handled with impunity. 

 The islanders of the Pacific ocean mount this saw upon a handle 

 and use it for a sword. 



