CHIMERAS. 
299 
the ventrals, and by a very singular hoe-like horn 
on the snout, bent forwards and tipped with 
spines. In the Northern Chimaera \Chimcera 
monstrosa^ Linn.) the head is strangely uncouth, 
the snout ascending in a blunt point ; the mouth 
far below, small ; the face and cheeks scored with 
CHIMERA. 
irregular waved furrows. The colours are beau- 
tiful ; many shades of rich brown, on a shining 
white ground ; the eyes are particularly large and 
brilliant. It attains three feet in length, and is 
sometimes seen on the northern coasts of Scot- 
land. From its pursuit of the shoals of Herrings, 
on which it principally feeds, it is sometimes 
called the King of the Herrings. The female 
deposits large leathery eggs or capsules, flattened, 
with velvety margins, having some resemblance 
to those of Sharks or Rays. These eggs are 
esteemed by the Norwegians, who eat them in 
pastry ; the flesh of the animal is coarse, hard, 
and uneatable. An oil is extracted in copious 
