418 Fishes. 
on the under side. The male shark is smaller than the 
female, and differs from it in appearance, in possessing 
two elongated appendages, one of which is attached to 
the hinder edge of each of the ventral fins. The purpose 
which these appendages are intended to serve is not known. 
Some of the Sharks produce their young alive, and others 
lay eggs contained in horny cases of an oblong shape, 
with long tendrils at each of the four corners. After the 
young Sharks are hatched, these curious cases are often 
washed on shore, and are called mermaids' purses. 
The bones of the Shark are like gristle, and very dif- 
ferent from those of most other fishes. Hence all the 
fishes with bones similar to those of the Shark are placed 
in a separate order, and called cartilaginous fishes. 
The White Shark is sometimes found weighing nearly 
two thousand pounds. The throat is often large enough 
to swallow a man; and a human body has sometimes 
been found entire in the stomach of this tremendous 
animal. He is furnished with six rows of sharp tri- 
angular teeth, which amount in all to a hundred and 
forty-four, serrated on their edges, and capable of being 
erected or depressed at pleasure, owing to a curious 
muscular mechanism in the palate and jaws of the Shark. 
The whole body and fins are of a light ash-colour ; the 
skin rough, and employed to smooth cabinet work, or 
to cover small boxes or cases. His eyes are large and 
staring, and he possesses great muscular strength in his 
tail and fins. Whenever he spies, from the deepest re- 
cesses of the sea, a man swimming or diving, he darts 
from the place, up to his prey, and if unable to take in 
the whole, or snatch away a limb, he follows for a long 
time the boat or vessel in which the more nimble swim- 
mer has found a safe and opportune retreat": but seldom 
does he let any one escape his jaws, and get off entire. 
Sir Brook Watson was swimming at a little distance 
from a ship, when he saw a Shark making towards him. 
Struck with terror at its approach, he cried out for 
assistance. A rope was instantly thrown; but even 
while the men were in the act of drawing him up the 
ship's side, the monster darted after him, and, at a single 
snap, tore off his leg. 
