THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 31 7 



were collected close to the keel of the vessel, in one 

 dense mass, of extraordinary depth and breadth, 

 and swam with an appearance of trepidation and 

 watchfulness. The cause of this unusual commo- 

 tion was visible in a Sword-fish lurking astern, 

 awaiting a favourable opportunity to rush upon 

 his prey when they should be unconscious of danger, 

 or away from the protection of the ship. The 

 assembled Albacore continued, in the mean time, to 

 pass under the keel of the vessel, from one side to 

 the other, often turning simultaneously on their side 

 to look for the enemy : their abdomens glittering 

 in the sun as a wide expanse of dazzling silver. It 

 was evident that the Sword-fish desired but a clear 

 field for his exertions; and in the course of the 

 day we observed him make several dashes amongst 

 the shoal, with a velocity which produced a loud 

 rushing sound in the sea ; his body, which, when 

 tranquil, was of a dull brown colour, assuming at 

 these times an azure hue." * 



Mr. Bennett conjectures with much probability, 

 that it is as a protection against the attacks of the 

 Sword-fish, that Albacore and other fishes so often 

 attach themselves to a ship, or the body of a whale; 

 the vicinity of so large a body being sufficient to 

 deter the former from making his impetuous thrusts 

 among~ the shoal, lest his bony weapon being driven 

 into the solid substance by the violence of his 

 assault, he might not be able to retract it. Instances 

 are not rare, however, in which the Sword-fish, 

 perhaps forgetting his usual caution, (for he is re- 



* Whaling Voyage, vol. i. p. 270. 

 2d2 



