SHARK. 
228 
wards the vessel. The shark, however, did not dis- 
cover the bait till it was pointed out to him by his 
friends,- when he rushed forward to seize it, and the 
hook penetrating his lip, he was immediately hoisted 
on board. 
If we for a moment consider the fossil teeth of 
this species, preserved in the British Museum, 
which are at least four inches and a half from the 
point to the base, and six inches from the point to 
the corner ; we shall be satisfied, that the specimen 
they belonged to must have been of a size fai su- 
perior to any that are to be met with at present. 
During the breeding season the sharks are ob- 
served to approach the shores, on purpose to choose 
a favourable spot where they may deposit their 
young. These are discharged two or three at a 
time, enclosed alive, in a capsule, or square pel- 
lucid horny case, terminated at the four corners by 
very long and slender filaments : the young when 
first excluded from these are not above a few inches 
long. 
