SWORDFISH. 167 



Easter Island, as the line was hauling in, a large Swordfish 

 bit at the tin case which contained our thermometer, but for- 

 tunately failed in carrying it offy 



The Swordfish are said to go in pairs, and would probably 

 be captured more frequently, but that their great timidity and 

 vigilance save them. 



The mode of obtaining them, as practised in the Mediter- 

 ranean, is reported to be still more amusing than that in use 

 against the Tunny, which has been already noticed. A man 

 elevated on a mast, or on a neighbouring rock, gives notice 

 by signal of the approach of a fish. The fishermen row 

 towards, and attack it with a small harpoon attached to a 

 long line ; and are so skilful, as often to strike the fish at a 

 considerable distance. The struggle then commences ; which 

 is, in fact, whale-fishing in miniature. Sometimes they are 

 obliged to follow a fish for hours, before they are able to get 

 it into the boat. The fishing season is from May to 

 August. 



The length of the Swordfish is from ten to twelve feet ; 

 but they occasionally attain a larger size, and have been 

 known to exceed four hundred pounds' 1 weight. Dr. Leach 

 found small fish in the stomach of one : that examined by 

 Dr. Fleming contained numerous remains of Loligo sagit- 

 tata. The flesh of the adult is said to be hard but good ; 

 that of the young fish white, agreeable, and nourishing. At 

 Genoa, young ones are sold and eaten ; but the elongated jaw 

 is cut off before the fish are brought to market. 



The fin-rays are, 



D. 3+40 : P. 16 : A. 2 + 15 : C. 17. 



Body elongated, nearly round behind, but little compressed ; 

 upper part of the head nearly flat, slightly descending to the 

 base of the sword, which is formed by an extension of the 

 vomer, maxillary, and intermaxillary bones ; the edges pro- 



