122 ALONG THE FLORIDA REEF. 



the monster finally gave up the struggle, and 

 was soon towed to the beach and killed. 



"That," said Tom, as he leaped ashore, 

 " was the queerest ride I ever had ; it even 

 beats riding turtles. What a story to tell the 

 boys at home ! " 



The shark was found to be eight feet six 

 inches long, and the doctor, cutting open the 

 stomach, showed that it contained sea-weed, 

 holothurians, and the remains of sea-urchins. 



" It is too sluggish to catch fish," he ex- 

 plained, "and prefers to root for food, as the 

 pigs do." 



Leaving the shark to the crabs, intending to 

 return at another time to secure the curious 

 hinge-shaped jaw, from which it takes its name, 

 the party returned to the boat and pulled away 

 for the cray -fish grounds. 



" Here are the coral-heads ! " cried Harry, 

 giving the boat a shove to the starboard. 



" I should say they were," responded Dick. 

 " Why, they must be four feet across." 



" Almost," said the doctor. " You see they 

 look like immense brains deposited on the sand, 



