FISHES OF NEW YORK 407 



head. The pectoral insertion is under the sixth ray of the 

 dorsal; the fin is nearly one half as long as the head; its position 

 is in the lower fourth of the hight. The sword is rounded on 

 the edges and much narrower than in the swordfish. D. Ill, 

 So to 39-6; A. II, 13-6; V. I, 4; P. 19; vertebrae 12 + 12. 



Color deep blue above, a little lighter on the flanks, passing 

 into white below; fins intense blue, second anal and outside of 

 pectoral clearer, first dorsal with rounded spots, more intense, 

 of same color; iris clear blue, cornea blackish. 



Body covered with lanceolate, embedded scales. The color 

 notes here given are from Dr Goode's excellent description in 

 Proceedings of the U. S. National Museum, IV, 420, 1882. 



The spearfish is found in the West Indies and on our Atlantic 

 coast, ranging northward to Cape Cod. Individuals more than 

 7 feet long have been taken, and the species is said to reach the 

 length of 26 feet. At Woods Hole it is generally rare; but be- 

 tween 1885 and 1890 numbers were captured in the traps in 

 Vineyard sound and Buzzards bay during July and August, 

 according to Dr Hugh M. Smith. Most were caught in the trap 

 farthest up Buzzards bay, at Quissett harbor. 



The spearfish in our waters is said to resemble the swordfish 

 in its moA'ements and manner of feeding. Nothing is known of 

 its breeding habits or its young. It is taken by means of hooks 

 in deep water or by spearing at the surface. The hook fishing 

 is not altogether a safe pastime, as the fishermen are often 

 liable to be wounded or drowned by the fierceness and strength 

 of the fish. Numerous instances are recorded of vessels having 

 been pierced by the beak of the spearfish, and parts of such 

 vessels containing the spear are exhibited in several museums. 



The flesh of the spearfish is highly esteemed in some localities. 



Family xiphiidae 



Sicordfishes 



Genus xiphias F^innaeus 



Swordfishes without teeth, and without ventral fins. Body 



somewhat compressed; dorsal fins two, the anterior beginning 



opposite the gill openings, falcate and elevated, its hight rather 



