246 AMERICAN FISHES. 
From other circumstances, it seems certain that there are spawning 
grounds in the sea near Sicily and Genoa, for from November to the 1st 
of March young ones are taken in the Straits of Messina, ranging in weight 
from half a pound to twelve pounds. 
In the Mediterranean, as has been already stated, the very young fish 
are found from November to March, and here from July to the middle of 
September the male fish are seen pursuing the female over the shoals, and 
at this time the males are easily taken. Old sword-fish fishermen, Capt. 
Ashby and Capt. Kirby, assure me that on our coast, out of thousands of 
specimens they have taken, they have never seen one containing eggs. I 
have myself dissected several males, none of which were near breeding 
time. In the European waters they are said often to be seen swimming in 
pairs, male and female. Many sentimental stories were current, especially 
among the old writers, concerning the conjugal affection and unselfish 
devotion of the Sword-fish, but these seem to have originated in the 
imaginative brain of the naturalist rather than in his perceptive faculties. 
It is said that when the female fish is taken the male seems devoid of fear, 
approaches the boat, and allows himself easily to be taken ; but, if this be 
true, it appears to be the case only in the height of the breeding season, 
and is easily understood. I cannot learn that two Sword-fish have ever 
been seen associated together in our waters, though I have made frequent 
and diligent inquiry. 
There is no inherent improbability, however, in this story regarding the 
Sword-fish in Europe, for the same thing is stated by Prof. Poey as the 
result upon the habits of Zetrapturus. 
The only individual of which we have the exact measurements was taken 
off Seaconnet, R. I., July 23, 1874. This was seven feet, seven inches 
long, weighing 113 pounds. Another, taken off Noman’s Land, July zo, 
1875, and cast in plaster for the collection of the National Museum, 
weighed 120 pounds, and measured about seven feet. Another, taken off 
Portland, August 15, 1878, was 3,999 millimeters long, and weighed 
about 600 pounds. Many of these fish doubtless attain the weight of 4oo 
and 500 pounds, and some, perhaps, grow to 600; but after this limit is 
reached, I am inclined to believe larger fish are exceptional. Newspapers 
are fond of recording the occurrence of giant fish, weighing 1,500 pounds 
and upwards, and old sailors will in good faith describe the enormous fish 
which they saw at sea, but could not capture; but one well-authenticated 
