462 THE BASKING SHARK, 



THE BASKING SHARK, OR MONK FISH. 



This species has derived its name from its propensity to lie on the 

 surface of the water, as if to bask itself in the sun. Though a very 

 large fish, it possesses none of the voracity and ferociousness that mark 

 the generality of the Shark tribe. It will frequently lie motionless on 

 the surface of the water, generally on its belly but sometimes on its 

 back ; and it seems so little afraid of mankind, as often to suffer itself 

 to be patted and stroked. 



Their food consists entirely of marine-plants, and some of the 

 species of medusae. They swim very deliberately, and generally 

 with their upper fins above water. Sometimes they may be seen 



sporting about among the 

 waves, and leaping seve- 

 ral feet above the surface. 

 Their liver is of such 

 immense size, as fre- 

 iquently to weigh nearly 

 a thousand pounds. 

 From this a great quan- 

 tity of good oil may be 

 extracted ; so much, in- 



MOM FttH, OR RABKING SHARK. .. , * -in 



deed, that the oil of a 

 single fish will sometimes sell for twenty or thirty pounds sterling. 



The inhabitants of the northern coasts of Europe are very alert in 

 the pursuit, and very dexterous in the killing, of these fish. When 

 pursued, the Basking Shark does not accelerate its motion, till the 

 ooat comes almost in contact with it, when the harpooner strikes his 

 weapon into its body, as near the gills as he can. These animals seem 

 not to be very susceptible of pain ; for they often remain in the same 

 place, till the united strength of two men is exerted to force the har- 

 poon deeper. As soon as they perceive themselves wounded, they 

 plunge headlong to the bottom ; and frequently coil the rope round 

 their bodies in agony, attempting to disengage themselves from the 

 fatal instrument, by rolling on the ground. Discovering that these 

 efforts are in vain, they swim off with such amazing rapidity, that ope 

 instance has occurred of a Basking Shark towing to some distance a 

 vessel of seventy tons burden, against a fresh gale. They sometimos 

 run off with two hundred fathoms of line, and two harpoons in their ; 

 and will employ the men from twelve to twenty-four hours before they 

 are subdued. 



THE COMMON DOG-FISH. 



So excessively voracious are these animals, that they are altogethe 

 fearless of mankind. They follow vessels with great eagerness 

 seizing with avidity every thing eatable that is thrown overboard 

 and they have sometimes been known to throw themselves on fisher- 



