FISHES. 
189 
THE SHARK. 
28. Of the Shark tribe there are several species, 
the most formidable of which is the White Shark. 
He has six rows of teeth, a hundred and forty-four in 
all : these are hard, sharp-pointed, and of a wedge- 
like figure. He exhibits an aspect of the deepest, 
fiercest, and most savage malignity. 
29. Sharks swim with great velocity, and are a 
source of dread to sailors in hot climates, where they 
swarm about the ships ; and if any of the men have 
the misfortune to fall overboard, or voluntarily enter 
the water, they often become the prey of this vora- 
cious fish. 
30. In the pearl-fisheries of South America, every 
negro is obliged to carry into the water with him a 
sharp knife, in order to defend himself against these 
animals. If the fish endeavours to assault him ? he 
strikes his knife into his belly ; on which it gener- 
ally swims off. 
Describe the Shark. Where are they much dreaded 1 How 
do the divers in the East Indies defend themselves ? 
