250 AMERICAN FISHES. 



pie, exactly what a whalemen would describe by the word " toggle." It 

 consists of a two-pointed piece of metal, having in the centre, at one side, 

 a ring or socket, the axis of which is parallel with the long diameter of the 

 implement. In this is inserted the end of the pole-shank, and to it or 

 near it is also attached the harpoon-line. When the iron has once been 

 thrust point first through some solid substance, such as the side of a fish, 

 and is released upon the other side by the withdrawal of the pole from the 

 socket, it is free, and at once turns its long axis at right angles to the 

 direction in which the harpoon-line is pulling, and thus is absolutely pre- 

 vented from withdrawal. The principle of the whale-harpoon or 

 toggle-iron is similar, except that the pole is not withdrawn, and the head, 

 turning upon a pivot at its end, fastens the pole itself securely to the fish, 

 the harpoon-line being attached to some part of the pole. The Sword-fish 

 lily-iron head, as now ordinarily used, is about four inches in length, and 

 consists of two lanceorate blades, each about an inch and a half long, 

 connected by a central piece much thicker than they, in which, upon one 

 side, and next to the flat side of the blade, is the socket for the insertion 

 of the pole-plank. In this same central enlargement is forged an opening 

 to which the harpoon-line is attached. The dart-head is usually made of 

 steel ; sometimes of iron, which is generally galvanized ; sometimes of 

 brass. 



The entire weight of the harpoon-pole, shank, and head, should not 

 exceed 18 pounds. 



The harpoon-line is from 50 to 150 fathoms long, and is ordinarily 

 what is known as " fifteen- thread line." At the end is sometimes fast- 

 ened a buoy, and an ordinary mackerel keg is generally used for this 

 purpose. 



In addition to the harpoon, every Sword-fisherman carries a lance. 

 This implement is precisely similar to a whaleman's lance, except that it 

 is smaller, consisting of a lanceolate blade perhaps, one inch wide and two 

 inches long, upon the end of a shank of five-eighths-inch iron, perhaps two 

 or three feet in length, fastened in the ordinary way upon a pole 15 to 18 

 feet in length. 



The Sword-fish are always harpooned from the end of the bowsprit of a 

 sailing-vessel. It is next to impossible to approach them in a small boat. 

 All vessels regularly engaged in this fishery are supplied with a special 

 apparatus, called a "rest" or "pulpit," for the sujjport of the harpooner 



