THE WHITE SHARK. 



These islanders have a very quaint method of catching the Shark absurdly impo- 

 tent 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 color of the White Shark is ashen brown above, and white below. 





WHITE SHARK, OR LAMIA.-CarcAanx/ofl Roadeletll. 



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

 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. 



