jo8 WHITE SHARK. Class IV. 



ftate of repofc, lie quite flat in the mouth, but 

 when he feizes his prey, he has power of eredling 

 them, by the help of a fet of mufcles that join 

 them to the jaw. 



The mouth is placed far beneath, for which 

 reafon thefe, as well as the refl of the kind, are 

 faid to be obliged to turn on their backs to feize 

 their prey, which is an obfervation as antient as the 

 days of Pliny *. 



The eyes are large ; the back broad, flat, and 

 (horter than that of other fliarks. The tail is of 

 a femilunar form, but the upper part is longer 

 than the lower. It has vaft ftrength in the tail, 

 and can flrike with great force, fo that the fail- 

 ors inilantly cut it off with an axe as foon as they 

 draw one on board. 



The pedloral fins are very large, which enables 

 it to fwim with great fwiftnefs. 



The color of the whole body and fins is a light 

 adi. 



The antients were acquainted with this fi(h ; and 

 Oppian gives a long and entertaining account of its 

 capture. Their flelh is fometimes eaten, but is ef- 

 teemed both coarfe and rank. 



* Omnia autem carni'vora funt talia et fupina fvefcantur, 

 Lib» IX. c, 24. 



X-NJ^K^ 



