Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-08-20
THE GREAT FISH.

Haitian, N. ). tug 5:-on friday
morning last, large fish having got
en.angled in the nets OF Mr.. Bazeiy,
and some other Fishermen, was, after
much laundering and dashiug about,
hauled to the shore; where, his tail be-
ing cut, he was thus incapacitated from
doing further mischief. The immense
size, upwards of 80 feet in length, and
breadth propor,ionate, induced suppo-
sition that it belonged to the whale
tribe; but having been towed up to the
town and examined, it was ascertained
to be cartilaginous animal, well
known in Great Britain by the name Of
the "Basking Shak;" ofwhich a short
description is given in the following
sketch:-
SHARK, or Squalls, L. genus OF fish,
comprehepding 50 species, OF which
the following are the most remarkable;
!. The Canicula, Spotted Shark, or
Dog-Fish, inhabits almost every sea,
and grows to the length of 4 feet: it at
tains considerable age, is extremely
voracious, and chiefly subsists on fish
es. The skin ofthis species is beauti-
fully spotted, like that of Leopard;
when stripped off, it is manufactured
into Shagreen, & is likewise employed
in dry state, for polishing wood, and
for other purposes.
9. The Maximus, Basking Shark,
abouuds in the Irish Channel, and on
the Western Coast of Scotland. 1t is
of prodigious size, measuring some
times 81 feet and upwards in length: it
has been observed to derive great plea
sure from basking on the surface OF the
ocean, during the heat of the day. Its
liver is valuable, on account OF the
great quantity of oil which it contains
those Of the large kind yielding upon
an average eight barrels each. The
| catching of the basking shark, and mel
ting down its liver, afford employment
to many Industrious families:-the oil
thus procured, is not only pure, sweet,
and fit for lamps, but is also much used
externally for relieving bruises, burns,
and rheumatic pains.
8. Carcharias, Great White Shark,
or Requin, is the most formidable and
destructive enemy, of the mariner; 1t
sometimes infests the British seas, but
generally those of hot climates, where
it grows TO the length Of so feet, and
weighs from to 1000 pounds. Ac-
cording to Funke, however, its weight
occasionally amounts to 10000 lbs.
and the fish measures 10 feet in circum-
ference. An entire horse has been
found in the stomach of this monster.
And as it is probable, from the large
teeth (glossopetrG) sometimes dug out
of the earth, that the Requin, in former
ages, must have been still more bull
XIV creature; naturalists have cOnjec-
tured that such fish, and not whale.
swallowed Jonah. The Great White
Shark is particularly dangerous to
swimmers, who have often lost one OF
more of their limbs. and not unfre-
quently been devoured entire. This
fish is principally valued for its oil; as
its flesh, though eaten in Norway and
Ireland, is extremely rank and coarse
| The liver of the animal thus taken
filled, we are told, several barrels; and
this, together with the amount which
arose from the exhibition of the huge
body to the examination of the curious
amply remunerated the fishermen, VIC
believe, for the damage which they had
sustained.
! The late Augusta Georgia. Chroni
Gle says-"The first Monday in Octo
Der next, will, in all probability, pro
vide the Governor with passport te
the walks Of private life, where we
hope he may enjoy many years both o.
health and happiness"