PISCES— SWORD FISH. 751 



The sword fish has wonderful strength. The Leopard man-of-war was 

 struck by one of them ; and though the animal was following the ship, and 

 consequently gave the blow with less force than it otherwise would have done, 

 yet the sword penetrated nearly a quarter of a yard through the sheathing 

 and timber, and was broken off by the shock. Eight or nine strokes from a 

 hammer weighing a quarter of a hundred weight, would be required, to drive 

 an iron pin the same depth into wood. In the British Museum there is also 

 a plank of a ship, through which a fish impelled the whole length of his 

 sword; not, however, without losing his life by the effort. 



The sword fish has an antipathy to the whale, and no sooner meets than 

 he assails him. Two will sometimes combine in the attack. The whale 

 can defend himself only with his tail, which the activity of his adversary 

 generally enables him to evade. The whale dives in vain, for he is pursued 

 by his pertinacious tormentor, and he is at length compelled to take flight. 



