& 3; 
Aunt 
F'ishes of Massachusetts. 355 
ment is thrown, like a harpoon, with great force into 
the fish, the attempt always being made to wound 
the animal in front of the origin of the dorsal fin. 
When wounded, it sometimes frees itself from the 
iron by its struggles, and has been known to dive 
with so much force towards the bottom of the sea, as 
to drive its sword throughout its whole extent into 
the sand or mud, which was proved by its appear- 
ance when taken. When unmolested, it not unfre- 
quently is observed to spring several times its length 
forwards, several feet above the surface of the water. 
The flesh of this fish when salted is eaten, and 
preferred by many to that of several other species. 
The cod-fishers at Noman’s Land, being disappointed 
the last season in their usual avocation, directed their 
attention to the taking of the sword fish, and were 
quite successful in their efforts. About 200 barrels 
are annually taken at Martha’s Vineyard, which are 
either sold fresh, or cut into slices and pickled or 
salted, and kept for sale in that state throughout the 
year. It sells for from three to four cents per pound. 
From a specimen kindly sent me by Dr. Yale, 
which was taken August 29, 1838, between Gay 
Head and Block Island, by Mr. Warren Cleaveland, 
I have drawn the following description : 
Back and upper part of the sides, of a sky-blue 
color; beneath, silvery gray. Surface smooth. En- 
tire length, twelve feet five inches; depth across, 
from the origin of the anal fin, fifteen inches. Length 
of the head, from the posterior edge of the operculum 
to the point of the lower jaw, twenty-two inches; 
j length of the upper jaw or sword, beyond the point 
