THE SWORD FISH. 281 



Description Only two species. 



. . . . . 



the end, was placed in such a manner on the side 

 of the vessel, as to enable the fish to strike it ; 

 and it was not without inexpressible delight that 

 he daily saw them exercising their skill in shoot- 

 ing at it with amazing force, and seldom missing 

 their mark. 



The flesh of this species is white, and very 

 good eating. l 



THE SWORD FISH. 



THE head of this fish is furnished with a long, 

 hard, sword-shaped upper jaw, whence it takes 

 its name. The mouth has no teeth ; the gill 

 membrane is eight-rayed; and the body is round- 

 ed, and has no apparent scales. 



Sword fish are very large and powerful ani- 

 mals, often growing to the length of twenty feet 

 and upwards. Their voracity is unbounded, for 

 they attack and destroy almost every thing living 

 that comes in their way. The larger fish they 

 penetrate with their Jong snout, few of which, 

 when within sight of them, can either withstand 

 or avoid its shock. There are but two species, 

 one of which is only found in the European seas ; 

 the other, called the Indian, or broad-finned 

 sword fish, inhabits the Brasilian and East Indian 

 seas, and also the Northern ocean. The body is 

 of a silvery blueish white, except the upper parts 

 of the back, and the head and tail, which are of 



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