SA W-FISH. 
537 
cartilages. The teeth of the saw are firmly implanted in distinct sockets of calcified 
cartilage, while those in the jaws are minute and blunt. The wide spiracles are 
situated behind the eyes ; the dorsal fins are without spines, the first being placed 
above or near to the line of the base of the pelvic pair; and the large caudal fin 
may or may not have a distinct lower lobe. The saw consists internally of three, 
or sometimes five, hollow calcified cartilages, in the form of long tapering tubes, 
placed side by side, and held together by integument, which is likewise more or 
less hardened by the deposition of calcareous matter. Several existing species of 
the genus have been described, which are most abundant in the tropical seas, and 
JAPANESE SAW-FISH (J Hat. size). 
some of which are distinguished by the shape of the caudal fin, and the number of 
pairs of teetli in the saw. These fishes not uncommonly grow to 20 feet in 
length, but Day records one of 24 feet; in such monsters the saw maj be full} 
6 feet in length, with a basal width of 1 foot. Some of the Indian species ascend 
rivers to a considerable distance beyond the influence of the tides. Saw-fishes use 
their weapon of offence by striking sideways through the water, and thus inflict 
terrific injuries, literally tearing to pieces the soft-parts of such animals as they 
may strike ; and it is stated that in the Indian estuaries large ones have been 
known to cut bathers completely in two. After tearing off pieces of flesh, or ripping 
up the body of their victim with the saw, these fishes seize and swallow the smaller 
fragments thus detached m their mouths. In the Malayan legion the flesh of one 
