THIS is a sea-fish which generally inhabits the deep water beyond the reach of nets; and is seldom, if ever, caught on the fishermen's lines. At certain seasons, however, it makes its way into the rivers. It is found on various parts of our coast, and when caught in the Thames is considered a royal fish, due to the Sovereign.

It is of large dimensions, seldom measuring less than four or five feet in length, and varying from that size to sixteen feet. When exposed at a fishmonger's shop in London, it generally attracts, by its uncommon and showy appearance, a number of spectators. The body, is armed from head to tail with five rows of large bony tubercles; one of these rows extending along the back,

and two on each side. The snout is long, and has tendrils near the tip. The mouth, which is beneath the head, is somewhat like the opening of a purse, and is very curiously formed for the creature's use in feeding. The largest Sturgeon ever known of in Great Britain was taken in the river Esk, and weighed 460 pounds. In the northern parts of Europe this fish is much more common than with us, and is a great article of Caviar, which is reckoned a great delicacy by some, but thought unpalatable by many, is made of the roe; isinglass is formed of one of the membranes and the flesh, when well cooked, is savoury, having a taste like veal.

commerce.

It was so much valued in the time of the Emperor Severus, that the epicures of old had it brought to table with great honours, preceded by a band of music. This may have given rise to the ancient custom, in our own country, of its being presented by the Lord Mayor to the Sovereign.

Bingley calls the Sturgeon " clumsy and toothless," and tells us, that it hides its large body among the weeds in the water, only showing the tendrils which grow near its mouth. These tendrils look like worms; and the small fish and sea-insects, on approaching, intending to feed upon them, are sucked into the creature's mouth.

When the Sturgeon is caught in a net, it makes scarcely any resistance, but is drawn out of the water apparently lifeless.

THIS fish is the terror of mariners in most of the warm countries of the globe. It is fierce and voracious, and swims with amazing swiftness and ease. There are several species of Shark; and even the smaller ones are dreaded by fish much larger than themselves; but the White Shark, which grows to a large size, and sometimes weighs between 3,000 and 4,000 pounds, is considered the most terrible. The body is long, covered with a hard skin; the head large; the mouth wide; the upper jaw armed with six rows of sharp triangular teeth, and projecting far beyond the lower jaw, which has four rows of teeth, sharper than those above.

The fish before us uses these dreadful weapons with a strength and ferocity that have often proved fatal to human beings; persons while swimming have been seized and devoured by Sharks.

Derham, however, in his "Physico-Theology," remarks, that against some animals, "Divine Providence

R

itself hath provided a guard. So the Shark, of which take my often commended friend Dr. Sloane's observation. 'It hath this particular to it, with some others of its own tribe, that the mouth is in its under part, so that it must turn the belly upwards to prey. And was it not for that time that it is in turning in which the pursued fishes escape, there would be nothing that could avoid it; for it is very quick in swimming, and hath a vast strength, with the largest swallow of any fish, and is very devouring.'-Sloane's Voyage to Jamaica."

It is said that in the Pearl Fisheries of South America, the Negro diver, in order to defend himself from these monsters of the deep, carries with him into the water a sharp knife, which, if the fish offers to assault him, he endeavours to strike into his belly, on which it generally makes off.

The late Sir Brook Watson was swimming at a little distance from a ship in Montego Bay, Jamaica, when he saw a Shark approaching him. He instantly cried out for assistance, and a rope was thrown; but while the men were drawing him into the boat, the animal darted at him, and in a moment tore off his leg. The painful scene is represented in a good painting which is in the Hall of Christ's Hospital. This worthy person afterwards became Lord Mayor of London.

The White Shark, the Blue Shark, the Fox Shark, and some other species, which are more or less formidable, are occasionally met with on the British coast; most of them are well known in the Mediterranean; and they are great wanderers. The Basking Shark is harmless. The White Shark will attend a ship, in expectation of what may be thrown overboard, and will readily take a piece of flesh fastened as bait on an iron crook. When it is drawn upon deck, the sailors' first act is to chop off its head, to prevent mischief from its great strength and violence. Its flesh, though coarse, is sometimes eaten by the men on a long voyage.