lowed Jonah. This bare statement, unattended by discussion or
comments of any sort occurs in Robert Hergner's Parado of the Animal
Kingdom.*

An adult shark has few enemies outside its own kind.
Consequently, in certain parts of the world, the sea literally swarms with
them. Yet there is a period during the shark's life when it is entirely
defenseless, though not without protection.

The shark is not especially prolific but the eggs like those of many
water creatures, are well sheltered. Each shark egg is enclosed in a rough
case commonly called a "Mermaid's Purse" which has long ten-
drils attached to each of its corners. When this egg case is liberated it
slowly sinks until the tendrils become entangled in seaweed. The time
required for a shark egg to hatch varies. In the case of a dogfish some
eight or ten months are required.
Closely related to the sharks, and at times perhaps as dangerous
to man, are the rays of which there are several species. The electric ray
and sting ray have specialized weapons of defense and of these two the
sting ray in the worse, having not only poisonous spines but the ability to
inflict serious wounds.
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*Published by the MacMillan Co. N. Y. 1936