ZOOLOGY. 101 
men, to examine this great natural curiosity, the “ sword ” 
or bony spear of the X. gladius was found to have pene- 
trated the larboard quarter of the vessel, within two or 
three feet of the stern post, passing through the copper 
sheathing—an outer planking of pitch pine 1# inch thick, 
the centre of a cedar timber 5 inches thick by 6 wide, and 
lastly through the ceiling of pitch pine 14 inch in thick- 
ness. The weapon was nearly at a right angle with the 
keel, and pointed slightly upwards, the extremity project- 
ing on the inside exactly ten inches beyond the woodwork. 
The point had evidently been broken off in the collision, 
leaving a jagged surface equal in size to the end of the 
little finger. 
When the schooner had discharged her cargo, the 
“sword” was removed by cutting away the woodwork 
which surrounded it. It was dark brown in colour; mea- 
sured 17? inches to the fractured base, and 54 inches in 
circumference at the thickest part, and was split from the 
base to within about four inches of the smaller end. The 
upper surface was rough and granulated, resembling course 
sandpaper to the touch, and the sides exhibited a still 
rougher exterior. The under side was smooth and horn- 
like in appearance; the form not round, but oval; the 
upper and lower surfaces being of the greatest breadth. 
The smooth, or under side, was faced towards the bows of 
the vessel. 
Yarrell mentions a dead sword fish found on the Essex 
coast in 1834, which was ten feet long, and of which the 
sword measured three feet. This rule of proportion would 
give five feet as the probable length of the “Earl Dun- 
donald ” specimen. 
