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XIPHIAS. 
XIPHIAS, auctorum. 
CHARACTER GENERICUS. 
Caput mandibula superiore longissima, ossea termi- 
natum. 
Corpus longum, alepidotum. 
SWORDFISH. 
GENERIC CHARACTER. 
Head terminated by a very long bony upper-jaw. 
Body long, without scales. — 
The Swordfish was well known to the ancients by Aris- 
totle’s name of Sidsag; it is noticed also under the title of 
Gladius by Pliny, who records the circumstance of its pe- 
netrating ships, regarded by many writers as fabulous, but 
now established as a fact by the most unquestionable au- 
thority. 
The Cape of Pelorus (Capo Peloro or Capo di Faro), 
situated in the Straits of Messina, has long been celebrated 
for the resort of some species of Swordfish (probably X. Gla- 
dius), which is very common in the Mediterranean sea, 
and is taken by means of a spear in considerable abundance, 
being highly esteemed as an article of luxury by the Sicili- 
ans, who purchase it at a high price. 
*€ The ancient method of taking them is particularly de- 
scribed by Strabo, lib. i. p. 6, and agrees exactly with that 
practised by the moderns.” —Pennant. 
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