34. BLUES HARK): Chea 
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 
fhorter than that of other fharks. 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 ftrike 
with great force, fo that the failors inftantly cut it off 
with an axe as foon as they draw one on board. 
‘The pectoral fins are very large, which enables 
it to {wim with great fwiftnefs. 
The color ae the whole body and fins is a light 
afh. 
The antients were acquainted with this fifh; and 
Oppian gives a long and entertaining account of its 
capture. Their fleth j is fometimes Es but is ef 
teemed both coarfe and rank. 
Vee ee a Ee A ee 
Taavn@>. isan. an. lib.1.c. Squalus foffula triangulari in 
16. extremo dorfo, foraminibus 
Galeus glaucus. Rondel. 378. nullis ad oculos, Arted. fyn. 
eget pifc. 609. 98. 
Blew fhark. Bil Kcth. 49. Squalus glaucus. Lin ff. gor. 
Raii fyn. pife. 20. 
Att IAN relates ftrange things of the affection 
this fpecies bears to its young: among others, 
he fays, that it will permit the {mall brood, when 
in danger, to fwim down its mouth, and take fhel- 
* Omnia autem carnivora fant talia et Jupina vefcantur. lib.ik.¢ 24 
ter 
