Page:Natural History, Fishes.djvu/324

310 (Scyllium catulus, .), here represented, is the handsomer and the larger. It attains a length of three feet; is of a brownish grey hue on the upper parts, and whitish beneath; the whole elegantly studded with large round spots of black, or deep brown.

The Dog-fishes are excessively voracious, and, in the pursuit of prey, seem at times quite fearless of man. They follow vessels with eagerness, seizing everything eatable that is thrown overboard; they have even been known to dart at fishermen, and at persons bathing in the sea; though their comparatively small mouths, and their weakness, prevent their ability to inflict serious mischief in this way. They are, however, hated by the fishermen on account of the depredations they commit on more valuable fishes than themselves, great quantities of which they devour, when taken in the nets. The Dog-fish itself is often captured both by the net, and by the hook; but is perfectly valueless when caught; except for the trivial use that is made of the skin in polishing.

“On the coasts about Scarborough, where the Haddocks, Cod, and Dog-fish, are in great