Class IV. SICILIAN SWORD FISH. 217 



was a place noted for the resort of the Xiphias, 

 and possibly the station of the speculatores, or 

 the persons who watched and gave notice of the 

 approach of the fish. 



One was taken in October \ 785, in the new 

 cut for the Dee above Flint, nearly at the same 

 time with the Beaked Whale. 



The antient method of taking them is particu- Capture. 

 larly described by Strabo,* and agrees exactly 

 with that practised by the moderns. 



A man ascends one of the cliffs that over- 

 hang the sea : as soon as he spies the fish, he 

 gives notice either by his voice, or by signs, of 

 the course it takes. Another, that is stationed 

 in a boat, climbs up the mast, and on seeing the 

 sword fish, directs the rowers towards it. As 

 soon as he thinks it is within reach, he descends, 

 and taking a spear in his hand, strikes it into 

 the fish, which, after wearying itself with its 

 agitation, is seized and drawn into the boat. 

 It is much esteemed by the Sicilians^ who buy 

 it up eagerly, and at its first coming into season 

 give about sixpence English per pound. The 

 season lasts from May till August, f The 

 antients used to cut this fish into pieces, and 



* Lib. i. p. 16. f Rays Travels, i. 271. 



