130 FISH—-CULTURAL ASSOCIATION. 
In addition to the harpoon, every swordfisherman carries a 
lance. This implement is precisely similar to a whaleman’s 
lance, except that it is smaller, consisting of a lanceolate blade 
perhaps one inch wide and two inches long, upon the end ofa 
shank of five-eighths-inch iron, perhaps two or three feet in 
length, fastened in the ordinary way upon a pole fifteen to eigh- 
teen feet in length. ; 
THE MANNER OF FITTING A VESSEL FOR SWORDFISHING. 
The swordfish are always harpooned from the end of the bow- 
sprit of a sailing vessel. It is next to impossible to approach 
them in a small boat. All vessels regularly engaged in this 
fishery are supplied with a special apparatus for the support of 
the harpooner as he stands uponthe bowsprit, and this is almost 
essential to success, although it is possible for an active man to 
harpoon a fish from this station without the aid of the ordinary 
framework. Not only the professional swordfishermen, but 
many mackerel schooners and packets are supplied in this man- 
Mer, 
The swordfish “ pulpit”? is constructed as follows: The har- 
pooner stands upon the tip of the bowsprit, outside of the jib- 
stay. At this point is fastened a square plate of iron as wide as 
the bowsprit. In the middle of this plate is a mortise two inches 
square, and extending three or four inches down into the wood, 
forming a socket for an upright iron bar two inches square and 
three feet high. At the top of this bar is a bow of iron bent 
backward in semicircular form to surround the waist of the har- 
_ pooner, the ends of the bow being separated by a distance of 
perhaps two feet. In the ends of the bow-iron are holes through 
which are passed irons to hold the dart when not in use. 
Through these same holes are sometimes passed ropes, by which 
is suspended a swinging seat for the use of the harpooner when 
not in action. When not in use the dart is lashed in a horizontal 
position to the top of the “rest.” The lance is usually allowed 
to rest against the jibstay, to which it is secured by passing it 
through loops of rope arranged forthe purpose. Upon the tip 
of the bowsprit, at the base of the rest, is a platform of wood 
about two feet square, large enough to afford a firm foot-hold to 
