332 " SUN-FISHING " ON THE IRISH COAST. 



Many of our readers will be surprised to learn that 

 sharks are frequent visitors on the west coast of Ireland, 

 and that shark-fishing, or, as it is there called, " sun- 

 fishing," is sometimes adopted as an agreeable though 

 exciting pursuit. The species of Squalidse found in 

 western waters we have already described as the " bask- 

 ing-shark," which attains a great size, but does not 

 generally exhibit a ferocious character. It has a short 

 blunt snout, with numerous small conical teeth ; and its 

 skin is considerably rougher than that of the white or 

 blue shark. 



The harpoon used in " sun-fishing " is of a peculiar 

 shape, and quite different from the ordinary whaler's 

 weapon. The iron handle measures five feet in length, 

 and is made of five-eighth inch round Swedish iron ; to 

 the end of this is rivetted, at its centre, a two-foot length 

 of iron ; one half is flat, and ends in a sharp chisel edge ; 

 the other grooved, so that, in the striking position, it lies 

 along and partly around the handle ; the end curves 

 slightly outward, presenting the appearance of a semi- 

 detached chip cut from a bar by the stroke of a hatchet. 

 This is kept in its place by a soft " grummet of oakum," 

 so as to prevent its opening during the delivery of the 

 thrust, while leaving it so loose that the pressure of the 

 skin, when the harpoon passes through, forces it over the 

 shoulder, and leaves the harpoon blade free. Conse- 

 quently, when the fish pulls and the backward pressure 

 comes against the inside of the curved end, it opens about 

 nine inches ; a shoulder on the handle preventing it from 

 expanding further. 



Such is the description given by a writer who has had 

 some experience of " sun-fishing ; " rather a wild and ad- 



