472 THE SWORD-FISH. 
THE well-known JOHN Dory, so dear to epicures, is found in the British 
seas, and is frequently seen in the fishmongers’ shops, where its peculiar 
shape seldom fails of attracting attention even from those who are not likely 
to purchase it, or even to have seen it on the table. 
‘lhe name of John Dory is thought to be a corruption of the French name 
jaune dorée, a title given to the fish on account of the gilded yellow which 
decorates its body. It was called Zeus by the ancients, because they con- 
sidered it to be the king of eatable fish ; and the name of Faber, or “ black- 
smith,” has probably been earned by the smoky tints which cloud its back. 
The dark and ccaspicuous spots on the side are thought in many places to 
be imprinted upon the fish as a memorial of the honour conferred upon its 
ancestor in times past, when St. Peter took the tribute money from the 
mouth of the Dory, and left the print of his finger and thumb as a per- 
petual remembrance of the event. Some persons, however, contend that the 
marks are due, not to St. Peter, but St. Christopher; and the Greeks, who hold 
to the latter tradition, call the fish Christophoron. 
The flesh of the Dory 1s remarkably excellent and, as it is rather improved by 
the lapse of twenty-four hours after the-fish has been taken from the sea, it is 
peculiarly valuable to 
those who live far in- 
land and cannot hope 
for the more delicate 
fishes, which must bc 
eaten almost as soon 
as caught. Although 
st a common fish, it 
always commands a 
high price, and as, 
when cooked, the head 
occupies so large a 
SWORD-FISH.—(X phias gladiu:.) space, it never attords 
an economical dish. 
The shape of the Dory is very peculiar. The body is very deep, and 
greatly compressed. The head is oddly shaped, and the mouth can be 
protruded to a surprising extent. The spines cf the first dorsal fin are much 
prolonged and behind each ray is given off a very long waving filament, three 
times as long as the ray in front of it. Along the base of the dorsal and anal 
fins are arranged two rows of spiny scales, their points being directed back- 
ward, and one row being set at each side of the fin. 
THE well-known SWORD-FISH derives its popular name trom the curious 
development of the snout, which projects forward, and is greatly prolonged 
in‘o a shape somewhat resembling a sword-blade. The sword is formed by 
the extension of certain bones belonging to the upper part of the head. This 
fine fish is found in the Mediterranean Sea, and also in the Atlantic Ocean, 
and in the former locality is often very plentiful. The Sicilian fishermen 
are accustomed to pursue the Sword-fish in boats, and mostly employ the 
harpoon in its capture. The weapon is not very heavy, and by a strong and 
practised hand can be hurled to some distance. The flesh of the Sword-fish 
is always eatable and nourishing, and in all specimens is white and well 
flavoured. 
The use of the “sword ” is not clearly ascertained. In all probability, the 
fish employs this curious weapon in gaining its subsistence, but the precise 
mode of so doing is not known. It is an ascertained fact that the Sword-fish 
will sometimes attack whales, and stab them deeply with its sharp beak ; 
3nd it is also known that this fish has several times driven its beak so deeply 
