CHAPTEE XIX. 

 CHONDROPTERYGIANS. 



The Shark and his Cartilaginous Cousins. 

 Shark and Lamprey. 



Far as the breeze can bear tlie billows' foam, 

 Survey our empire, and behold our home. — Byron. 

 "It S> Ta\€iaL Troivifioi t '"Eptwiies 

 yev€cr6e, fi-fj ^eiSfcrde, iravSfuwv dXof. 



KaXrj Tvpavvls, TroWa toXX' evbaijiovei, 

 Ko^eimv dvTT] y i<r6Uiv a ^ovXercu. 



AS free as a bird, says the proverb ; as free as a fish, say 

 we ; for if fish be not their own masters, who are ? 

 No other creature has half the facilities for shiftiag 

 quarters and changing domicile that he has. Furnished 

 with a body in itself a perfect locomotive, a vigorous tail 

 for a piston, and cerebral energy in lieu of steam, the 

 sea itself affords a level for raib;oads of communication 

 and transport in every direction, and the North and 

 South Poles are the only natural terminuses to the jour- 

 ney. Man xiannot compete with fish here; for few, 

 from various lets and hindrances, are permitted to va- 

 gabondize at will, and of those who might be disposed 

 to indulge the fancy, fewer still possess the means for 

 its accomplishment. The yacht animal enjoys himself, 

 no doubt, as he cruises about the high seas for amuse- 

 ment; but this pleasure has risks, as well as obvious 

 limits. Squalls may upset or whirlpools engulf him and 

 his frail bark; her mast may be struck by lightning, 

 her keel may run upon a rock ; her rudder be caijried 

 away ; her sails torn to ribbons ; her ribs melt in the red 

 glare of fire on board ; or if she adventure too near the 



