THE SWORD-FISH 



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The only fishes of which we shall have occasion to speak belong 

 to the last two sub-classes; not many species are included in the 

 first and second. But almost all the fishes with which we are, or 

 are likely to be, acquainted belong to the third sub-class — the 

 Teleostomi. There are not nearly so many of the sharks and rays. 



TELEOSTOMI 



THE SWORD-FISH (Family ZlPHllD^) 



In the days of wooden ships it was occasionally found, when a 

 vessel was brought into dock to be scraped and cleaned, that a long 



narrow blade of ivory was firmly 

 fixed in some part of her wood-work. 

 This once belonged to a fish which, 

 on account of its sword-like tusk, is 

 known as the Sword- Fish. 



The sword-fish is very powerful 

 and swims at a marvellous speed, 

 perhaps faster than any other known 

 fish. Its upper jaw is elongated into 

 a sharp sword-like beak. Armed with 



this formidable weapon it goes in search of its prey, and when it 

 sees a likely victim, rushes at it and transfixes it. A shoal of 



Common Sword-fish 



