554 THE SWOKD-FISH. 



The shape of the Dory is very peculiar. The body is very deep, and 

 greatly compressed. The head is oddly shaped, and the mouth can 

 l)e protruded to a surprising extent. The spines of the first dorsal fin 

 are much prolonged, and behind each ray is given ofi" a very long wav- 

 ing filament, three times as long as the ray in front of it. Along the 

 base of the dorsal and anal fins are arranged two rows of spiny scales, 

 their points being directed backward, and one row being set at each 

 side of the fin. 



The well-known Sword-fish derives its popular name from the curious 

 development of the snout, which projects forward ana is 'greatly pro- 



The Swobd-fish {Xiphias gladius). 



longed into a shape somewhat resembling a sword-blade. The sword 

 is formed by the extension of certain bones belonging to the upper 

 part of the head. This fine fish is found in the Mediterranean Sea, 

 and also in the Atlantic Ocean, and in the former locality is often very 

 plentiful. The Sicilian fishermen are accustomed to pursue the Sword- 

 Hsh in boats, and mostly employ the harpoon in its capture. The 

 weapon is not very heavy, and by a strong and practised hand can 

 l)i,' hurled to some distance. The flesh of the Sword-fish is always eat- 

 al)Ie and nourishing, and in all specimens is white and well flavored. 



The use of the " sword " is not clearly ascertained. In all probabil- 

 ity, the fish employs this curious weapon in gaining its subsistence, but 

 the precise mode of so doing is not known. It is an ascertained fact 

 that the Sword-fish will sometimes attack whales and stab them deeply 

 with its sharp beak, and it is also known that this fish has several times 

 driven its beak so deeply into a ship that the weapon has been broken 

 off by the shock. In such cases the blow is so severe that the sailors 

 luive fancied that their vessel has struck upon a rock. Several museums 

 possess examples of pierced planks and beams, but it is possible that 



