84 FISH—-CULTURAL ASSOCIATION. 
Mr. Witmor then read extracts from his forthcoming report 
on the decrease of salmon in the maritime Provinces of the 
Dominion, but as it had not been published he took the paper 
with him. 
The SECRETARY then read a paper from Prof. G. Brown Goode 
on “ The Swordfish.” 
MATERIALS FOR A HISTORY'OF THE :SWORDFISE: 
BY G. BROWN GOODE. 
This essay upon the swordfish and its uses makes no claim to 
be considered a contribution to knowledge. In the course of 
six summers’ study of fish and fisheries on the coast ot New 
England and as many winters of research into ichthyological 
literature, a considerable quantity of notes concerning the sword- 
fish have accumulated in the writer’s portfolio. These are printed 
below, arranged in systematic order, with the hope that they 
may stimulate enquiry by showing at a glance what is now 
known about the habits of this mysterious fish, and what it is 
desirable should be learned. Such of the facts as have not 
previously been printed are, for the most part, drawn from the 
experience of fishermen, either by the writer or by others who 
have kindly responded to letters asking for information by in- 
terviewing their local authorities. Mr. John H. Thomson, of 
New Bedford; Mr. Willard Nye, of New Bedford; Mr. E. G. 
Blackford and Mr. Barnet Phillips,of New York; and Mr. C. 
B. Fuller, of Portland, have aided thus. Capt. Benjamin Ashby, 
of Noank ; Capts. R. H. Hurlbert, John Rowe, and George H. 
Martin, of Gloucester ; and Capt. I. H. Michaux, of New Bed- 
ford, veteran swordfishermen, have been asked questions innum- 
erable, and their words are frequently quoted. As far as possi- 
ble, all statements have been confirmed by personal observation; 
but for this there has been little opportunity. Few fishes are so 
difficult to observe, and a student may pass summer after sum- 
