The only surviving relative of the bichir is the Reed-fish of Old Calabar, which differs by its eel-like form and the absence of the hinder paired fins.
CHAPTER XVI.
SHARKS AND RAYS.
BY F. G. AFLALO, F.Z.S.
Two prevalent errors with reference to sharks continually recur in England. The first is local, and has reference to the absence of "proper" sharks, whatever that may mean, from British waters. The second, of wider application, holds that all sharks are dangerous to man. When, some few years ago, the writer addressed a letter to the Times newspaper, warning yachting-men against summer bathing in deep water in Cornwall, a host of critics accused him of a tendency to pose as an alarmist, and insisted that he was confusing sharks with dog-fish. Apart from the fact that the distinction between the two groups is in some cases extremely slight—it does not even rely on size, for there are dog-fishes which attain to larger dimensions than the smallest sharks—these gentlemen were wholly in error, since four sharks at any rate are very common in Cornish seas, and even occur in lesser numbers on other parts of the British coasts. The largest of these, the great Basking-shark (of which a photograph, taken at Mevagissey, is given below), illustrates in its harmless person the fallacy of condemning all sharks as man-eaters, since in this, the largest of its race, we have an absolutely innocuous fish. From its habit of lying at the surface with the large back-fin erect, it is also known as the Sail-fish, while the equally appropriate name of Sun-fish sometimes causes confusion with other British fishes properly so called.
Photo by W. Saville-Kent, F.Z.S.] [Milford-on-Sea.
WOLLIBONG, OR CARPET-SHARK.
The leaf-like processes surrounding the head serve to attract prey, while the shark lies concealed on the sea-bottom.