THE EUROPEAN SWORD-FISH. 



417 



that it would be impossible, with a hammer of a quarter of c hundred 

 weight, to drive an 

 iron pin of the same 

 form and size into 

 that wood, and to 

 the same depth, by 

 less than eight or 

 nine strokes, whilst 

 this had been effected 

 bf only one. 

 And about sixteen 



years ago, a 



letter 



BWOBD OP 8WORI>-FI8H, PIERCING TIMBER. 



was written to Sir 

 Joseph Banks, as 

 piesident of the 

 Royal Society, from 

 the captain of an 

 East Indiaman, and 

 was accompanied by 

 an account of an- 

 other instance of the amazing strength which this fish occasionally 

 exerts. The bottom of this ship had been pierced through in such a 

 manner, that the sword was completely imbedded, or driven through 

 its whole length, and the fish killed by the violence of the effort. 



The Sword-fishes and the Whale are said never to meet without 

 coming to battle; and the former has the reputation of being always 

 the aggressor. Sometimes two Sword-fishes join against one Whale ; 

 in which case the combat is by no means equal. The Whale uses 

 his tail only in his defence : he dives down into the water, head fore- 

 most, and makes such a blow with his tail, that, if it take effect, 

 finishes the Sword-fish at a stroke : but the other, which in general is 

 sufficiently adroit to avoid it, immediately falls upon the Whale, and 

 buries his weapon in his sides. When the Whale discovers the 

 Sword-fish darting upon him, he dives to the bottom, but is closely 

 pursued by his antagonist, who compels him again to rise to the 

 surface. The battle then begins afresh, and lasts until the Sword fish 

 loses sight of the Whale, who is at length compelled to swim off, 

 which his superior agility enables him to do. In the Sword-fish 

 piercing the Whale's body with the tremendous weapon at his snout, 

 he seldom does any great damage 

 to the animal, from not being 

 able to penetrate much beyond 

 the blubber. 



The European Sword-fish has 

 8omet : ~ies been iound on che 

 British coasts; and is very com- 

 mon in the Mediterranean. 



