THE NEUSE HOUND, OR CAT-FISH. 



323 



to Dixon, the natives of the Sandwich Islands swim fear- 

 lessly in the midst of the sharks. Is this because they 

 are skilful in eluding their attacks, or because the latter 

 have learned to fear them ? 





THE SIIAliK AND TJI.K NfcXiKO. 



Of the Gray or Six-gilled Shark, which sometimes 

 attains a length of eleven feet, we have nothing particular 

 to relate ; nor need we linger long over the Black-mouthed 

 Dog-fish, which is common enough in the Mediterranean, 

 but rare in British waters. In allusion to the singular- 

 blackness of its jaws, the Italians expressively name HBocca 

 d' Inferno, or Hell's-mouth. The Neuse Hound is better 

 known to English fishermen as the Cat-fish. Like the 

 Rough Hound, it is a ground shark ; so called because it 

 seeks its prey near the bottom. It feeds on the Crustacea 

 chiefly, but may be caught by almost any tempting bait. 

 The young are not hatched within the body, as is the case 

 with the sharks proper ; but are separately enclosed in 

 curious leathery pouches, about three inches long, which 



