210 PISCES. 



XiPHiAS, Lin. 

 These fishes belong to the family of the Scomberoides, and approach the 

 Tunnies particularly, in their excessively small scales, in the carinx on the 

 sides of their tail, in the power of their caudal fin, and in their whole internal 

 organization. Their distinguishing character consists in the beak, (whence 

 theh* name of Sword-fish,) or ensiform point or tusk, which terminates their 

 upper jaw; a powerful weapon, with which they attack the largest sea ani- 

 mals. This beak is chiefly composed of the vomer and intermaxillaries, 

 being strengthened at its base by the sethmoid, frontals, and maxillaries. 

 Their branchise are not pectinated; each of them being formed of two large 

 parallel laminae, the surface of which is reticulated. They swim with aston- 

 ishing swiftness, and their flesh is excellent. 



Xiphias gladius, L. (The Sword-Fish. ) The point horizontally flattened 

 and trenchant like the broad blade of a sword; sides of the tail strongly cari- 

 nated. It has but one dorsal, wliich rises from before and fi-om behind; the 

 middle of it becoming worn with age gives it the appearance of being double. 

 It is one of the largest and best fishes of the European seas, frequently at- 

 taining the length of fifteen feet. It is more common in the Mediterranean 

 than in the Atlantic Ocean. A parasitic crustaceous animal penetrates into 

 its flesh and sometimes renders it so furious that it dashes itself on shore. 



Centeonotus, Lacep. 

 A genus of Scomberoides characterized by the spines, which, in the Acan- 

 thopterygii in general, form the anterior portion of the dorsal, or a first 

 separate dorsal, but in them are free and unconnected by a common mem- 

 brane; they all have ventrals. They are subdivided into four subgenera. In 



Natjckates, Rafin. 



The dorsal spines are free; body fusiform; a carina in the sides of the tail 

 as in the Tunny, and two free spines before the anal fin. 



The common species is blue with broad vertical bands of a much deeper 

 blue. The vulgar name of Pilot-fish owes its origin to the fact, that it follows 

 vessels to seize upon what may fall from them; and as a similar habit is ob- 

 served in the Shark, it has been said that the former acts as a guide or pilot 

 to the latter; it is not above a foot long. 



There are various other genera belonging to this family, such as Rhyn- 

 chobdella, Notacanthus, Seriola, Nomeus, Caranx, Vomer, Zeus (The Com- 

 mon Dory), &c. &c. 



