1 68 FISHES I HAVE KNOWN 



some gar-fish, and several bass of insignificant 

 size. 



In the Straits of Messina, near Reggio, we 

 slowed down, and finally anchored for a few hours 

 to allow the overheated engine bearings to cool. 

 It was smooth, water, and flocks of gulls were 

 hovering over certain spots, denoting the presence 

 of small fish, probably mullets or sardines. 

 Presently there glided up to them three or four 

 fish, of which nothing could be seen except a tall 

 dorsal fin, with a still larger one several feet 

 behind. We had observed a couple of men on 

 the clifif waving their arms like the pilchard look- 

 out men, or " huers," of Cornwall, and all at once, 

 half a dozen boats, each rowed by eight men, shot 

 out from the little harbour and rushed towards the 

 spot where the mullet were playing. We guessed 

 they were after the sword-fish (for such the crea- 

 tures were), and it was most exciting to watch the 

 quick darting of the flashing harpoons, the frantic 

 leaping of the startled fish, and to hear the trium- 

 phant shout when all were transfixed and secured. 

 In one of the steamer's boats I went to interview 

 the fishermen and to look at their catch. 



The flesh of Xiphias gladius is compact, white, 

 and of excellent flavour, and as it is in request, the 

 fishery is an important one in the Mediterranean. 



