167 



INDIAN HISTIOPHORUS. 



Histiopliorus Indictis. 

 PLATE XXIX. 



Brought, according to Cuvier and Valenciennes, 

 from India by Banks, and from the Red Sea by 

 Eherenberg, will serve as an illustration. The form 

 is rather graceful, and this is heightened by the 

 ample dorsal fin. Species have been taken seven 

 or eight feet in length, and, according to those 

 naturalists who have seen the fish newly taken, the 

 colour is of a brownish-red on the upper parts ; the 

 body is covered with large an lengthened scales. 



The sword-fishes are of mild and gentle manners, 

 living chiefly on marine vegetables, and seldom 

 attacking other animals, except in self-defence. On 

 such occasions they become bold and active, main- 

 taining fierce combat with powerful whales, and, as 

 has been alleged, even with the crocodile; when 

 thus engaged, they inflict wounds not less deadly 

 than those given by the saw-fish, as the weapon, 

 though not serrated, is of much harder consistence. 

 The Xiphias gladius inhabits the Atlantic, from 

 the northern ocean to the south temperate zone, 



