[9] MATERIALS FOR A HISTORY OF THE SWORD-FISHES. 297 
gate scales. Dorsal rays, being unaborted, very numerous. Ventrals 
consisting each of two or three elongate rays. Intestine short, nearly 
straight, with two foldings. 
HABITAT.—Tropical and subtropical seas. 
8.—DESCRIPTIVE NOTES ON THE SWORD-FISH, XIPHIAS GLADIUS. 
My notes fail to supply the necessary data for a full description of 
the species, and since the fish is not likely by any one to be con- 
founded with any other, I do not think it necessary to defer publication 
until these data can be obtained. I append the following note upon a 
small specimen, and also partial measurement table for two others, the 
dimensions in one case in inches, in the other in millimeters. 
A specimen taken off Seaconnet, July 23, 1875. Weight 113 pounds; 
extremity of sword gone. One of the smallest ever seen in this region. 
Dorsal fin in its median part nearly destroyed, but traces of the groove 
and spines remaining. 
Color.—Above rich purplish blue, shading into whitish beneath the 
sides, and belly with a silvery luster. Fins bluish dark with silvery 
sheen, except dorsal. Top of the head rich purplish blue, the color ex- 
tending upon the rostrum. Lower side of rostrum rich brownish pur- 
ple. Eye deep blue. No trace of scales. 
Viscera.—Liver greenish light brown. Stomach siphonal; pyloric ceca 
infinite in number; intestine spiral 10 inches long when in position, 90 
when stretched out. Gall-bladder large, situated on the same line with 
the spleen, and at same distance from the liver, connected by a duct. 
Air-bladder simple, large. Spermaries large, 6 inches long. Stomach 
contained small, fish perhaps Poronotus, and jaw of Loligo Pealii. Fluke 
worms in cover of stomach and air-bladder. 
Table of measurements. 
Cuaxrentinumber of specimen: os.a.:.2<. cs see ste see eesieenes cose cs cece A. B. 
AGOGO Lyre connie ccinicicl cwiais'slojccla'e wicca sete /o'ciale cise sna sicale sevens iolalatectoenee nic sie'ais Seaconnet, | Gloucester, 
.1., July | Mass., 1878, 
23, 1875. 
Inches. Millimeters. 
Extreme length (tip of sword gone). --..--.22..22202- 052 0-c- cece ene w noes OT) cay Baas See 
Length to end of middle caudal 0M BOBO UE ETC EEE DOS DEO SDOGSCOOCON SER SOS 81. 50 2, 040 
y: 
Grostestiheithtiassossscectesencscceessec ese cessseeces ses i ocopoSamnaac MOS OOM Eee Sec cc cecieee 
Greatest, circumterence-:=ss<-cs2- 25-22 2-5 ees sesesescceced asec SoNOO =| sc o2 Soe. 
Weasels bOtballesscemsseoeaciecoss ls cese secaeeeecla ss onsen esasemeclccess cca ans s a: 80 
Head: X 
Greatestiencbhececcnecesssasmec sma sas coc- ene scinseces see aeeee saa see PY GU LE Sal eee ISIC 
Heng th tobipioLr lOWerJjNW. 325.2 sot oceccce cs. saseesmespeecesse cesses 16. 50 490 
Greatestiwidthiweascees.. = ab sce suns vcecs cs ccchsepecocsoceee nt oee Lace GUIDSS ee 5co2 St aoe 
Wadthrotinterorbitallarea: -s2 2.0 --cces.scc-sccce tc coe ctemeenesces cee 4.35 170 
LENGE NOLMSUONG er ee seen nese Seeee oe seen cisnia soe hace ons sesees esses 26200=F 4|5.ocos ates 
ENE UMOMOPCLCMLUNMssacecceccsicresss ss secs ccocceeneesesee ete ceses 5. 00 150 
ene thorumandible’. <2. sss cos te ecscescccsccce costo esanaccecoctse 11. 00 310 
MIAMOEL OM OVO ose sesioessesiscleeciscscccccscecestsscssceseueeceecss see 2.75 80 
Dorsal (first) : 
Distance oman Of LOWELL AWecssacesesocisascse sees ascaeeenes vases: 15.50) | cecjes sree 
Length of base (including first and second) ....-...--........---.----- 37. 00 470 (1st) 
Greatesthelohtrcd secs cecc acc caceccceccccesccccccccccccccsccoessccsess 12. 00 470 
