TALES OF FISHES 



time of this species in the Mediterranean, as is re- 

 lated in a subsequent paragraph, appears to occur 

 in the summer months, at the very time when the 

 swordfish are most abundant in our own waters, 

 apparently feeling no responsibility for the per- 

 petuation of their species. 



The swordfish, when swimming at the surface, 

 usually allows its dorsal fin and the upper lobe of its 

 caudal fin to be visible, projecting out of the water. 

 It is this habit which enables the fisherman to detect 

 the presence of the fish. It swims slowly along, and 

 the fishing-schooner with a light breeze finds no diffi- 

 culty in overtaking it. When excited its motions 

 are very rapid and nervous. Swordfish are some- 

 times seen to leap entirely out of the water. Early 

 writers attributed this habit to the tormenting pres- 

 ence of parasites, but this theory seems hardly neces- 

 sary, knowing what we do of its violent exertions at 

 other times. The pointed head, the fins of the back 

 and abdomen snugly fitting into grooves, the ab- 

 sence of ventrals, the long, lithe, muscular body, 

 sloping slowly to the tail, fits it for the most rapid 

 and forceful movement through the water. Prof. 

 Richard Owen, testifying in an England court in 

 regard to its power, said: 



"It strikes with the accumulated force of fifteen 

 double-handed hammers. Its velocity is equal to 

 that of a swivel shot, and is as dangerous in its effect 

 as a heavy artillery projectile." 



Many very curious instances are on record of the 

 encounter of this fish with other fishes, or of their 

 attacks upon ships. What can be the inducement 

 for it to attack objects so much larger than itself 



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