PLAGIOSTOMES. 



355 



ference. It is harmless to man, but an enemy to whales, biting and 

 tearing these superior monsters when alive, and eating them up 



FlG. 288. GREENLAND SHARK. 



svhen they die, gorging itself with blubber, like an Esquimaux, scoop- 

 ing hemispherical pieces, each as large as a man's head, out of the 

 whale's body, and swallowing as much as ever it can, until it has 

 ?o filled itself, that it has no place wherein to stow away any more ; 

 heeding no annoyance, not even the stab of a knife at dinner-time, 

 ind contenting itself with a fasting diet of small fishes and crabs 

 3n those days when whale-beef is not to be procured. Mr. AUSTEN. 

 The Saw-fishes (Pristis) (Fig. 285) are especially distinguished by 

 their very long snout, in the form of a sword- blade, armed on each 

 3dge with strong bony spines, which are pointed and cutting ; this 

 berrible weapon enableg its possessor fearlessly to attack the largest 

 whales. The teeth covering the jaws resemble a pavement of small 

 pebbles. The common Saw-fish attains a length of twelve or fifteen 

 feet. 



The Skates (Eaia) form a large tribe, of which 

 the common Thornback is a familiar example. 



FlG. 289. THOKXBACK. 



Fishes of this family are recognisable by their body 

 )eing horizontally flattened, a conformation princi- 

 pally due to the disposition of their pectoral fins; 

 :hese are extremely broad and fleshy, and joined 



