FISHES OF NEW YORK 409 



fifths times its length of base; it is located a very little in front 

 of the caudal keel. The caudal is crescentic, its external rays 

 two fifths as long as the head. The caudal keel is single, 

 median, its length nearly one sixth of length of head. The 

 second anal is directly under the second dorsal and is of about 

 the same size; the first anal is equidistant from the root of 

 the caudal and the end of pectoral base; its base is as long as 

 the caudal keel; its longest ray equals postorbital part of head, 

 its last ray minute; the margin of the fin deeply concave. The 

 pectoral origin is below the hind margin of the operculum; the 

 base is narrow, about one fifth of length of fin, which is equal 

 to depth of body. D. 39 to 40-2 to 4; A. 18 to 21-3; P. 20. 



Color " above rich purplish blue, shading into whitish be- 

 neath,' the sides and belly with a silvery luster. Fins dark 

 bluish with silvery sheen except dorsal. Top of head rich pur- 

 plish blue, the color extending upon the rostrum. Lower side 

 of rostrum rich brownish purple. Eye deep blue." 



The swordfish inhabits the Atlantic and comes near both 

 coasts; it is most abundant between Cuba and Cape Breton, 

 rather common in the Mediterranean, and is occasionally taken 

 off southern California. The fish appear in the vicinity of 

 Sandy Hook about June first, and the fishing season continues 

 as far east as Marthas Vineyard and Nantucket shoals till 

 about the middle of September. They disappear to the south- 

 ward as soon as the cold winds begin to blow. They feed on 

 mackerel, menhaden, and squid. They are often caught on 

 trawl lines, but the chief means of capture is the harpoon. 



The average length of swordfish is 10 feet, but individuals 

 measuring 16 feet are on record. An individual weighing 750 

 pounds was killed in 1874 off Portland. 



The flesh of this fish is very palatable, and the fishery is an 

 important one as well as an exciting occupation. 



Young swordfish have the skin covered with small, rough 

 excrescences, the jaws much more nearly equal, and the dorsal 

 and anal fins not divided into two separate parts. 



