146 



SCOMBERID*:. 



ranean, is reported to be still more amusing than that in use 

 against the Tunny, which has been already noticed. A man, 

 elevated on a mast or on a neighbouring rock, gives notice 

 by signal of the approach of a fish. The fishermen row 

 towards, and attack it with a small harpoon attached to a 

 long line ; and are so skilful, as often to strike the fish at a 

 considerable distance. The struggle then commences ; which 

 is, in fact, whale-fishing in miniature. Sometimes they are 

 obliged to follow a fish for hours, before they are able to get 

 it into the boat. The fishing season is from May to 

 August. 



The length of the Swordfish is from ten to twelve feet ; 

 but they occasionally attain a larger size, and have been 

 known to exceed four hundred pounds weight. Dr. Leach 

 found small fish in the stomach of one : that examined by 

 Dr. Fleming contained numerous remains of Loligo sagittata. 

 The flesh of the adult is said to be hard but good ; that of 

 the young fish white, agreeable, and nourishing. At Genoa, 

 young ones are sold and eaten ; but the elongated jaw is cut 

 off before the fish are brought to market. The fin-rays 

 are, 



D. 3 + 40 : P. 16 ; A. 2 + 15 : C. 17. 



Body elongated, nearly round behind, but little compressed ; 

 upper part of the head nearly flat, slightly descending to the 

 base of the sword, which is formed by an extension of the 

 vomer, maxillary, and intermaxillary bones ; the edges pro- 

 duced finely denticulated ; the extremity pointed ; upper 

 surface finely striated ; under surface smooth, with a slight 

 groove along the middle. The sides of the head vertical ; 

 the eye round ; nostrils placed near the upper surface, almost 

 round, and close together, the posterior orifice the largest : 

 the under jaw does not extend beyond the line of the curve 



