SOME RARE OR UNCOMMON FISHES 287 



the head, and curious separate spines in place of the more 

 commonly developed dorsal fin. Only one British example 

 is on record, and that was picked up in a three-sided wooden 

 case about six miles off Penzance. The conditions of its 

 capture throw some doubt on its claim to rank among 

 British fishes. 



The Albicore {Lichia glauca), still another of the horse- 

 mackerels, has only twice been recorded in British seas, in 

 1857 and 1878, both examples having been taken in Corn- 

 wall. It is like the last in shape, but the colours are lighter 

 green, and there are black stains on its yellowish, fins. 



The Sword-fish {Xiphias gladius) has been taken many 

 times in our seas, though it can only be regarded as an 

 uncommon summer visitor from the Mediterranean and other 

 southern waters. It grows to a great size, the larger examples 

 taken on our own coasts having measured 10 or 11 ft., and 

 weighed up to 300 lb. It has been caught on a baited hook 

 and also in the drift-nets, while now and again an example has 

 been left stranded in the shallows. Its colour is dull blue 

 above and white beneath. The bands, visible in the young 

 fish, disappear in the adult, but there are other changes more 

 remarkable than this. In the very young fish of one genus 

 {Histiophorus) the jaws are of equal length, and both are 

 furnished with teeth. At that stage, too, there are spiny 

 bristles over the eyes, and the prominent dorsal fin is absent. 

 Somewhat later the great development in the latter begins 

 to appear, the eyes lose their bristles, and the ventral fins 

 grow long and threadlike. In the adult stage we find the 

 high dorsal fin, long, swordshaped upper jaw, and absence 

 of teeth. The scales, which were moderately strong in the 

 young fish, are feeble in the adult. 



The feeding of the sword-fish is a mystery. It is difficult 

 to imagine what manner of food could be captured with the 



