CLASS TELEOSTEI. 



101 



The Sword-fish is remarkable for its upper jaw, which 

 is prolonged into a formidable weapon.* Rising beneath 



FIG. 172. 



PIG. 173. 



Xiph'ias gla'dius. Sword-fish. (j s .) 



a school of small fish like the mackerel, and striking to 

 the right and left with its sword, it kills great numbers 

 and then devours them at its leisure. It is highly prized 

 for food, fresh or pickled. 

 The Archer has been 

 credited with the ability 

 to shoot a drop of water 

 from its mouth with such 

 precision as to bring down 

 a fly a't the distance of two 

 or three feet. A more 



Tox' o tos joe u la' tor. Archer. ( *.) 



careful study of the anat- 



omy of its mouth shows no adaptation for such a feat, 



and doubt is thrown upon the tradition. 



were about to drop. This catastrophe took place at too great a distance for 

 us to see from the deck what happened ; but on our mounting high on the 

 rigging, we may be said to have been in at the death ; for then we could discover 

 .that the unfortunate little creatures, one after another, either popped right into 

 the dolphin's jaws as they lighted on the water, or were snapped up instantly 

 after." 



* Some species have a sword so strong that it has frequently been driven 

 through the coppered hull of a vessel, a third of its length being sawed off on 

 the inside. 



