104 



SHORT-SNOUTED SWORDF1SH. 



Xiphias Makaira. X. nigticans, rostro mcdiocri, cauda utr'mque 



tuberculis duobus osseis. 

 Blackish Swordfish, with snout of middling length, aiwl two 



bony tubercles on each side the tail. 

 Le Makaira noiratre. Cepede pise. A.p. 689. pi. 13. f. 3. 



THIS species, which has but lately been dis- 

 covered, is described by Cepede under the title of 

 Makaira. Its general appearance resembles that 

 of the common Swordfish : it seems also to equal 

 that species in size ; the principal difference con- 

 sisting in the much shorter and thicker appearance 

 of the sword-like process of the upper jaw in pro- 

 portion to the rest of the animal : the low^er jaw is 

 about half the length of the upper, and the mouth 

 is destitute of teeth: the eyes are large and round: 

 the gill-covers rounded behind, and composed each 

 of two pieces : the pectoral fins are very narrow 

 and about the same length with the upper jaw: 

 the first dorsal fin is large, and gradually sinks as it 

 passes down the back : it is capable of being so far 

 depressed or lowered at the pleasure of the animal, 

 as to rise but little above the outline of the back : 

 beyond this, at a small distance from the tail, is a 

 second fin, of nearly similar shape, but of much in- 

 ferior size, and the vent-fin, which is placed opposite 

 to this, is but little larger : the tail is large and 

 crescent-shaped, and is marked by numerous black 

 spots, and on each side the tail are two oblong 



