346 Big Game Fishes 



when there was absolutely no cessation, but a 

 never ceasing pulsating glare. I could think of 

 but one comparison, the interior of a large and 

 brilliant haliotis shell with its marvellous shades 

 of blue, yellow, red, pink, violet, black, and white 

 pearl. This might convey in some degree the 

 beauties of the dolphin as it changes color in the 

 bright sunlight. The fish was nearly four feet in 

 length, and I should judge weighed in the neigh- 

 borhood of sixty pounds. Its head was large, 

 mouth big, eyes radiant, and down the back to the 

 sharp-pointed tail a long, purple dorsal fin splashed 

 with other tints, itself a coat of many colors. 



In general appearance the dolphin is one of 

 the most attractive of all fishes. The prevailing 

 tint is greenish olive, brownish olive above ; the 

 belly white with a golden sheen ; but the most 

 marked ornamentation is a series of vivid splashes 

 of labradorite blue along the upper portion. Add 

 to this, blue-splashed fins and a yellow tail, and 

 some idea of this radiant creature may be imag- 

 ined a fish which, if available to anglers near 

 shore, would take its place among the great game 

 fishes of the world. 



A few days later the "dead calm" gave way 

 before the trade: a sleeper awakened, and the 



