21 



course along the shore. The tunnies first pass between 

 the shore and the first chamber : having entered this, the 

 opening is closed, and with loud cries which bewilder the 

 poor creatures, the fishermen drive them into the laby- 

 rinth, from whence they can not escape. The outer 

 opening is then unclosed in order to admit the passage of 

 new victims ; and this work is continued until the net is 

 filled. They are then killed with harpoons and spears ; 

 sometimes, however, they resist powerfully, and tear the 

 nets. The tunnies swim rapidly and perseveringly, fol- 

 lowing after ships for sake of the kitchen offal. They 

 are often preceded by a shoal of sardelles, which are 

 driven into the net by the dolphins. The fishermen 

 spare the latter on account of this friendly oifice. The 

 flesh of the tunny is poisonous as soon as it begins to 

 decay, which is easily ascertained by the back bone 

 becoming red. This fish was dedicated, by the ancient 

 Greeks, to Diana ; the Italians impress its image on their 

 coin, and regard it as the emblem of conjugal fidelity. 

 From the roe and entrails of the mackerel, tunny, and 

 others of the Scomber tribe, the celebrated fish-sauce, 

 called yantm, w r as made ; it was in great repute in 

 ancient times, but the manner of its preparation is no 

 longer known. 



The Siroj-d Fish (xiphias gladius) is distinguished by 

 the beak, or long, sword-like point, which terminates the 

 upper jaw ; the scales are so small as to be scarcely dis- 

 cernible. It most generally measures six feet, sometimes 

 fifteen, the sword making one-third of the length. The 

 color is blue above ; white below. The prolongation of 

 the muzzle is flattened horizontally, and instead of teeth 

 the jaws are furnished with strong asperities. Is found 

 in all the oceans, but abounds in the Mediterranean. 



