BROAD-FINNED SWORDFtSH* 



103 



which it is reported to have frequent combats. It 

 is remarkable that Pliny mentions the circumstance 

 of the Swordfish being able to transfix vessels; 

 which has generally been regarded as one of those 

 exaggerations so frequent in the works of the an- 

 cient naturalists : but since the present fish is well 

 known to possess this power, (several other equally 

 well attested accounts having been received within 

 these few years), it is surely no improbable suppo- 

 sition that Pliny, though not conscious of the dif- 

 ference, in reality spoke of this very species, which 

 at that time was doubtless confounded with the 

 common Swordfish. 



In the arrangement of this animal I have ventured 

 to differ from Dr. Bloch, who, notwithstanding its 

 general appearance, its sword-shaped snout, and 

 other particulars in which it evidently proclaims 

 itself a genuine Xiphias, has placed it among the 

 Thoracic Fishes as a species of the genus Scomber, 

 considering the long processes beneath the breast 

 as a kind of pectoral fins. Dr. Bloch seems also 

 to have considered the finny processes above and 

 below the tail, together with the prominences on 

 each side that part, as sufficient to justify his classi- 

 fication of the animal. It may be added that 

 Piso, in his description of this fish, compares its 

 viscera to those of the Tunny. 



Dr. Bloch informs us that when this species does 

 not exceed the length of about four feet, it is con- 

 sidered as an eatable fish, but is too coarse when it 

 exceeds that length. 



