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THE SAVALA. 



species. In all these fishes, the body is long and compressed, almost like a ribbon, 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 SCABBARD-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 m elegant 

 undulations, it looks like a broad ribbon 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 fingers, 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, 

 seems to be a solitary fish, and lives at a considerable depth. The rapid undulations 

 of the body are capable of propelling the creatnre through the water with great velocity, 



SCABBARD-FISH. -Lepidopus caudatus. 



but, from all 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 vental 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 

 lepturus\ a species 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 (Trick turns Savalo), is found in the East Indian seas 

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

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



