WHITE SHARK, OR LAMIA. -cnr- 



These islanders have a very quaint method of catching the SharK absurdly impotent in 

 theory, but strangely efficacious in practice. They cut a large log of wood into the rude 

 resemblance of a canoe, tie a rope round the middle, form the end of the rope into a 

 noose, and then set it afloat, leaving the noose to dangle in the water. Whether induced 

 by curiosity, or by what strange impulse urged, is not very clear, but the fact is patent 

 that before the noose has been floating very long, a Shark is sure to push its head through 

 it, and on backing as soon as it feels the obstruction, is caught by the tightening of 

 the noose. The natives then go off in their canoes, chasing the bewildered Shark, who is 

 unable to dive on account of the floating log, and who is so lustily battered about the 

 head with the heavy clubs so admirably made by those ingenious natives, that it is soon 

 killed and hauled ashore in triumph. 



The colour of the White Shark is ashen brown above, and white below. 



THE upper figure in the accompanying illustration represents the BASKING SHAEK, 

 otherwise known by the name of SAIL-FISH and SUN-FISH. The first and last names are 

 derived from its habit of lying motionless on the surface of the water, evidently enjoying 

 the rays of the sun ; and the intermediate term refers to the sail-like aspect of its first 

 dorsal fin, which projects high out of the water when the fish is swimming near the 

 surface, as is shown in the figure. In the Orkneys it is called the HOMER. This word 

 has no reference to the Greek poet, with whom the rough fishermen are not likely to have 

 much acquaintance, but is a contraction of Hoe-mother, the fish being thought to be the 

 parent of the hoe, or picked dog-fish, a species which will presently be described. 



