WEAPONS OF ANIMALS 179 



an instance having been reported of an individual 

 piercing through timbers to a depth of twenty- 

 two inches. One species, namely the European 

 or common sword-fish (Xiphias gladius), which 

 attains to a length of ten feet, and possesses a 

 ' sword ' measuring about three and a half feet 

 long, is occasionally found off the British coasts. 



The saw-fish is also of large size, and has been 

 known to measure as much as twenty-four feet 

 in length. The upper jaw of the creature is pro- 

 longed into a long, flat, and beak-like structure, 

 armed upon the edges with numerous sharp and 

 pointed teeth which project sideways. With the 

 aid of this weapon the fish strikes out at its prey 

 and tears the flesh of its victim to pieces. The 

 * saws ' may measure as much as five or six feet 

 in length, and their formidable nature may well 

 be judged by stating that several instances have 

 been recorded of human beings, when bathing in 

 the water, being cut in halves thereby. 



