success, that he lays the ravenous tyrant dead at the bottom he soon however returns, fixes the fish's head in a noose, and drags him to shore, where he makes a noble feast for the adjacent villages.

Nor is man alone the only enemy this fish has to fear: the REMORA, or Sucking-fish, is probably a still greater,

and follows the Shark every where. This fish has the power of adhering to whatever it sticks against, in the same manner as a cupping-glass sticks to the human body. It is by such an apparatus that this animal sticks to the Shark, drains away its moisture, and produces a gradual decay.

There are only three known species of the Sucking-fish ; these are occasionally seen in the Mediterranean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. The common Sucking-fish, which inhabits most parts of the ocean, is usually about a foot in length; the head large, equal in bigness to the body, which grows smaller gradually to the tail.

The back is convex and black, and the belly white. It has six fins, two growing from behind the gills, two more under the throat, a long one on the back, and opposite to it, under the belly, another of the same form and size; the tail is wedge-shaped.

What this fish has peculiar to itself is, that the crown of the head is flat, and of an oval form, with a ridge, or rising, running lengthways; and crossways to this, sixteen ridges, with hollow furrows between, by which structure it can fix to any animal or other substance, as they are often found adhering to the sides of ships, and the bodies of Sharks and other large fish. This adhesive quality gave

rise to an absurd belief among the ancients, that the possessor of it had the power of arresting the progress of a ship in its fastest sailing. The Indians of Cuba and Jamaica formerly used to turn this quality to account by keeping tame Remoras, with which they fished. The Remora was secured by a slender but strong line, to which was attached a buoy, and was thrown into the water, upon which it would immediately pursue and fasten upon any fish that it perceived.

Sucking-fish are often eaten, and much admired: in taste they are said to resemble fried artichoke.

The Shark, however, appears to have one friend. This is the PILOT FISH. It has a long and banded body, with

four loose spines on the back; a compresed head, rounded off in front; a small mouth, the jaws of which are of equal length, and furnished with small teeth. The palate has a curved row of teeth, and the tongue has teeth all along.

This species is found in the Mediterranean, Southern Ocean, East Indies, and Cape of Good Hope. It grows to a foot and a half in length, and derives its name from being commonly seen with the Shark, to which it appears to point out its prey. The circumstance of its guiding the Shark was long a matter of doubt, but appears now to be an ascertained fact. M. Geoffroy, when near Malta, in 1798, saw two of the Pilot Fish lead a Shark to a piece of bacon which a seaman had let down by a line and hook.

There are several other species of the Shark. The BLUE SHARK is distinguished by a fine smooth skin on its back, of a blue colour. The observation of Ælian, that the young of this animal when pursued will take refuge in the belly of its mother, by swimming down her mouth, is confirmed by one of the best of modern icthyologists (Rondeletius). Mr. Pennant, however, does not apprehend this circumstance to be peculiar to the Blue Shark, but rather common to the whole genus.

The LONG-TAILED SHARK. The author whom we have just quoted mentions the dimensions of one of these animals which will serve to give an idea of the general proportions of this species. The fish in question was thirteen feet in length, of which the tail was more than six, the upper lobe much longer than the lower. The body was round and short; the nose short and pointed; the eyes large, and placed immediately over the corners of the mouth. This fish was anciently called the Sea Fox, from its supposed cunning.

The BASKING SHARK, which derives its name from its basking on the surface of the water, has nothing of the rapacious nature of these animals, but feeds entirely on sea plants, and some of the species of meduse. They sometimes visit our coasts, in the summer season, when they will lie in the sun on the surface of the water, and are so tame as to suffer themselves to be stroked. They are in length from three to twelve yards, and sometimes even larger. The liver is of such immense size as often to weigh nearly a thousand pounds. It contains a large quantity of oil.

The HAMMER-HEADED SHARK OR BALANCE FISH, is an animal of a very peculiar form. The head is placed transversely to the body, like the head of a hammer or mallet. It is terminated at each end by an eye, which is

so placed that it more conveniently looks downward than either upward or sideways. In the farther part of the forehead near the eyes, on each side there is a large oblong foramen or orifice, serving either for hearing or smelling, or perhaps for both. The mouth is very large, placed under the head, and armed with four rows of teeth extremely sharp. The tail consists of two fins, one longer than the other. The back is ash colour, and the belly white. This fish is chiefly caught in the Mediterranean.

The ANGEL SHARK, or MONK FISH, is the animal which connects the Shark genus with that of the ray, and partakes in some degree of the nature of both. It grows to a very large size, sometimes a hundred weight. The head is large; the teeth broad at the base, slender and sharp at the point. Like those of other Sharks, they are capable of being raised or depressed at the pleasure of the animal. The eyes are oblong, and placed lengthways in the head They are sunk very deep, and almost covered with the skin; and have more the expression of malevolence than of fire or spirit.

The skin is very rough; the back is of a pale ash colour, with a line of large lumps with pointed prickles along it. The pectoral fins are extremely large, and resemble wings, whence probably it derives the name of Angel. This species of Shark feeds on flounders and flat fish. It is extremely fierce and dangerous to be approached. Mr. Pennant speaks of a fisherman whose leg was terribly torn by one of them as it lay in his net in shallow water. It is not unfrequent on all our coasts.

In this genus are included the several species of DogFISH, which are common in most parts of the world, and retain much of the form and all the habits of the Shark. Nay, their appetite for human flesh is said to be so great, that they will sometimes even venture upon the shore to

gratify this violent propensity. The most remarkable are the TOPE, which weighs sometimes seventy pounds ; the SPOTTED DOG-FISH; the PICKED DOG-FISH, which has spines on its back fins; the SMOOTH HOUND, which is without the spines; and the PORBEAGLE.

Authors have classed under this genus a singular fish which is well known in the Western Ocean under the name of the SAW-FISH. It is remarkable for a curious instrument with which it is furnished at the snout resembling a saw, and which is sometimes of the length of five feet. From this circumstance it is evident that it must grow to a very large size.

THE RAY.

THE whole of this genus resemble each other very strongly in their figure; nor is it easy without experience to distinguish one from another. The stranger to this dangerous tribe may imagine he is only handling a skate when he is instantly struck numb by the torpedo; and he may suppose he has caught a thornback till he is stung by the fire-flare. It is by the spines that these animals are distinguished from each other.

THIS fish is the largest and best of its tribe; the flesh being white, firm, and well flavoured. It sometimes attains