EUROPEAN SWORD-FISH. 231 



shell is sufficiently strong to resist the force of their teeth 

 ind palatal grinders. On our shores their length seldom 

 ?xceeds seven feet ; but in other countries they are some- 

 limes known to grow to the length of twelve feet and 

 jpwards. They prefer deep waters, but approach the 

 shores in the spring of the year, for the purpose of deposit- 

 ng their ova or spawn amongst the sea-weeds, in places 

 sphere the water is shallow. In their serpentine mode of 

 jwimming these fish resemble the eel. They are found, 

 ilmost exclusively, in the Northern Ocean. 



Their head is large, blunt, and rounded. Their fore 

 ieeth are strong, conical, and start far out of the jaws : 

 ;hey are six in number in each jaw. The body is of a 

 blackish-grey colour ; and the sides, belly, and anal and 

 caudal fins, are somewhat lighter. The dorsal fin extends 

 from the hind part of the head almost to the tail ; and the 

 anal fin is nearly of the same length. 



4. SWORD-FISH TRIBE. 



The distinguishing characteristic of these fish is the 

 prolongation of their upper jaw into somewhat the form 

 of a sword. The mouth is situated underneath, and has 

 no teeth. 



European Sword-fish. In size almost equal to the 

 sharks, and armed with a tremendous weapon, which ex- 

 tends to a considerable distance in front of the upper jaw, 

 these animals are, notwithstanding, of a naturally harmless 

 and placid disposition. They attack none, and fear none. 

 Destitute of teeth, they are satisfied, for nourishment, with 

 small fish, and some of the inferior orders of marine ani- 

 mals. So great is their strength, that they have some- 

 times been known to bury their weapon, to the depth of 



