BATTLE OF NATURE

Evening Star, Issue 18628, 8 May 1924, Page 11

BATTLE OF NATURE

THRILLING SPECTACLE OF SLAUGHTER. In the ‘ Wide World Magazine,' Mr F. A. Mitchell-Hedge (who appeared recently iu our cable news as the discoverer of ancient city remains in British Honduras) describes some of his encounters in the Caribbean with monster fish, including a leopard ray of 4101 b, which ho landed on rod and lino. It measured 7ft 6in across the wings, and 6ft 9in from head to base of tail, the tail itself being 9ft 6in long. The tail is armed with a double dagger of ivory. Din to 12in long, through which a virulent poison is elected. Mr Mitcholl-Hcdgos also desenbes a remarkable spectacle of “Nature red in tooth and claw.” “ Wc noticed that the surface of the sea beyond tho reef was rippled with mullet fish from about lib to 21b m weight, disporting themselves in the water. Suddenly there was a rush and a burst, of foam. Tho booming ami splashing could bo plainly heai i on shore as a shoal of cavalli jjck Horn 101 b to 1001 b apiece in weignt, dashed in among the inoffensive mullet, rending them to pieces in every direction “ What , a slaughter it ms! innumerable sea hawks and pelicans, diving into tho water, joined in the massacre, and the surface ot the sea became alive, with swarms of small lish darting and leaping in every dii oction in vain hopes of escaping annihilation. Jumping to my feet, and seizing my classes, I looked seaward. Ves; what I had boon expecting and waiting for was at hand! Cutting the surface of the water some distance out I could soo the huge dorsal fin of a shark,—.the ‘Tiger of tho Deep,’ lord and master of the seas. “ Scenting the banquet, tho monster arrived with incredible speed. The jack were still feeding on the hapless mullet, unsuspecting danger. A huge burst of spray shot upward, and an 801 b jack leapt into the air. All in vain, howunerringly the enormous jaws of the shark seized their victim. In all directions fish, both great and .small, tore across the surface, pursued and pursuers flying from the common peril. Meanwhile' the sea hawks and pelicans hovered overhead, watching tho progress of tho groat shark. Presently tho smaller fry disappeared altogether, leaving only tho mighty fish passing backwards 'and forwards.”