THE ANGEt SHARK. 103 



Description. 



relying on what the .Dutch had told him, was 

 resolved to make the experiment, and break 

 through a prejudice which he supposed was 

 founded on the animal's deformity. He tried 

 and ate one, but his rashness cost him his life; 

 he instantly fell sick, and died a few days 

 after. 



THE 4NGEL SHARK. 



THIS is unlike the common sharks, being 



distinguished by its flat body, which forms the 



connecting link, as it were, between the genus 



of rays and that of sharks, as it partakes of the 



figure of both. The head is of a circular form, 



and rather broader than the body. The mouth 



is wide, and is situated at the extremity of the 



head. Like the sharks, the old fish of this 



species have more teeth than the young ones. 



Thus two angel sharks, only a foot long, in the 



possession of Dr. Bloch, had only two rows of 



teeth in the upper jaw, and three in the lower ; 



while Willoughby and Rondelet assert, that 



there are three in the former, and five in the" 



latter. The fins are large and wide, and their 



resemblance to wings has probably procured this 



fish the denomination of angel. Of a certain 



portion of the skin the Turks make the most 



