312 SCOMBEROIDES. 



trate through the thick sheet of blubber to the vi- 

 tals, than from any want of exertion on the part 

 of the warlike assailant. 



Mariners assure us, that on making our coast, 

 it is no uncommon circumstance to see this fish, 

 six, ten, and fifteen feet long, playing about the 

 vessel. We have been inclined, at times, to sup- 

 pose that the maJcaira, or lesser sword-fish, also 

 inhabited these waters, but no specimens having 

 been procured to establish the fact, we have con- 

 cluded that the young of the gladius are the little 

 ones adverted to by seamen. 



We have had an opportunity of conversing on 

 the subject with several intelligent vineyard pilots, 

 particularly Mr Dagget, an aged man, who has 

 pursued his adventurous business nearly half a cen- 

 tury, to whom we are indebted for all the accurate 

 knowledge we possess of their history in Mas- 

 sachusetts. 



Instead of being rare, they are certainly nu- 

 merous, and some of them of tremendous power. 

 They are sometimes sought, successfully too, for 

 their flesh, which is considered a wholesome, nu- 

 tritious food, much superior to common fish. Mr 

 Dagget remarked that he salted it down in barrels 

 for retailing.* 



* Let a man do what he will, if he is honest and industri- 

 ous, the labor of his hands is not only prolitable to himself, 



