63 
seas. In his rude figure* the posterior anal fin is omitted; 
but his accurate description leaves no doubt as to the cor- 
rectness of the reference. 
The specimen I examined (through the kindness of 
P. Neill, Esq.) was taken in the Frith of Forth; on dis- 
section it proved to be a female, and in its stomach the 
remains of small fish were discovered: the head was much 
lacerated ; part of the branchiostegaus membrane there- 
fore may have been torn away, but this conjecture must 
be decided by future observations. The superior process. 
of the tail was also incomplete, although there can be 
little doubt, from what remajns, that the appearance was 
similar to that exhibited in the annexed figure by a dotted 
line. The length of the body, including the rostrum, 
was eight feet three inches. The rostrum compressed, 
black, with three longitudjnal grooves above, whitish, 
with a slight carination beneath. 
It is at once distinguished from X. Gladius (common. 
Swordfish) by the dorsal fin, which in that species is con-. 
nected : may it not be a sexual distinction of that species.» 
The flesh was very excellent, and well tasted. 
* De Piscibus marjnis 25. 
