382 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



larjre cod a kuife of curioas workmanship, represented by the accom- 

 panying illustration, which is of full or natural size. 



The fish in which the knife was found was one of a fare caught in 75 

 fathoms of water on the northeast part of George's Bank ; it was appar- 

 ently healthy, being thick and " well-fed," and, ac- 

 cording to Captain Getchell, would weigh about 40 

 pounds after being split, or say 60 pounds as it came 

 from the water. The general excellent quality of the 

 fare of fish attracted considerable attention from peo- 

 ple who saw them, and led to the discovery of the knife. 

 Some remarks having been made concerning the fish. 

 Captain Getchell lifted several of them from a tub 

 (where they had been thrown to wash after being 

 weighed) and exhibited them to the by-standers, com- 

 menting on the size and thickness of the specimens. 

 Holding one across the edge of the tub in a semi-curved 

 position, he ran his hand over the thicker i^ortion of 

 the fish to call attention to its fatness. In doing so, 

 he felt something hard beneath his fingers, and further 

 examination produced the kuife. Of course much 

 surprise was expressed by those present, who had 

 never before seen such a strangely formed implement, 

 and speculation was rife as to how it came there. 

 When found, the knife-blade was closed, and the small 

 or posterior end of the handle was the part first felt 

 by Captain Getchell, and was nearest the tail of the 

 fish. 



The flesh of the fish where the knife was imbedded 

 is estimated to have been 2^ inches thick. Unfor- 

 tunately, the excitement attending the finding of the 

 knife prevented any notice being taken of the fish, 

 w-hich was carried otf and salted among the others ; 

 therefore nothing is known as to whether the imple- 

 ment was encysted or not. 



The handle of the knife is of brass, curved and 

 tapering posteriorly, with a longitudinal incision, on 

 the concave side, to receive the edge of the blade. 

 The handle is remarkable in form, and is suggestive 

 of the handiwork of some savage tribe or the scrim- 

 shaw work of a sailor. Its length, measured with the 

 curve, is 3g inches, and its greatest diameter one-half 

 inch. 



The blade is lanceolate in form, with the cutting 

 edge curved outward, to fit into the handle, and the 

 back nearly straight. It has been corroded a good deal and the ex- 

 treme point is very thin. Its length, from handle to tip, is 2| inches j 



