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THE SAVALA. 



la all these fishes, the body is long and compressed, almost like a riband, and indeed is 

 not at all unlike those flat " snakes " that are sold in the toy shops, and which dart in 

 all directions when held by the tail. 



The first example of these curious creatures is the SCABBAKD-FISH, so called because 

 in shape it bears some resemblance to the sheath of a sword. 



On account of its shape and bright silvery whiteness, it is a most striking inhabitant 

 of the ocean, and when writhing its way through the translucent water, in elegant 

 undulations, it looks like a broad riband of burnished silver winding through the waves. 

 This shining brilliancy is caused by a thin epidermis, which covers the body in place of 

 scales, and which can be easily rubbed off by the lingers, to which it adheres, transmitting 

 to them a portion of the metallic whiteness which it imparted to its proper owner. 



In spite of the exquisite beauty of this fish, it is captured for the sake of its flesh, 

 which is highly esteemed, and is generally sought in the months of April and May when 

 it approaches the coasts. The drag-net is the usual instrument of capture. It seems to 

 be a solitary fish, and lives at a considerable depth. The rapid undulations of the body 

 are capable of propelling the creature through the water with great velocity, but, from all 



SCABBARD-FISH. Itpidoput 



appearances, it is not able to make much way against a rapid tide, or to overcome the 

 dashing waves raised by a tempestuous wind. 



Several specimens of this beautiful fish are in' the British Museum, the largest of 

 which measures more than five feet in length. Along the back runs a single dorsal fin, 

 and the ventral fins are only represented by a pair of scales, a structure which has gained 

 for the fish the generic name of Lepidopus, or Scale-fin. 



ANOTHER fish that much resembles the preceding species is sometimes, but very rarely 

 seen upon the British shores. This is the SILVERY HAIR-TAIL ( Trichiurus lepttirus), a specie's 

 that may easily be distinguished from the scabbard-fish by the shape of the tail, which 

 has no fin at its extremity, but tapers into a long and gradually diminishing point. This 

 species is common in many parts of the Atlantic Ocean, and by the Spanish inhabitants 

 of Cuba it is termed the Sabre-fish. 



Another species, the SAVALA (Trichiurus Savala), is found in the East Indian seas, 

 and is sufficiently plentiful to form a recognised article of diet, and to be sold in the 

 Qiarkets. The Savala bears salting well, and is much used for consumption when the 



