THE SWORD-FISH. 
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shades of green, gold, and crimson on the lower parts of the sides and belly ; 
four longitudinal stripes extend along each side to the tail, which is crescent- 
shaped, and 8 inches in diameter. The beauty of the colours, when fresh from 
the water, it is impossible to describe. This is supposed to be the first speci- 
men of the Bonito ever taken in our harbour.” 
I am indebted to Dr. Scouler for the following note : — 
“ The fish concerning which you inquire was the Tliynnus Pelamys. It 
was taken somewhere near the estuary of the Clyde, and was brought to 
the Glasgow market, where it was supposed to be an enormous mackerel. 
I purchased the specimen for the Museum of the Andersonian Institution 
of Glasgow, where it still is, I have no doubt. The fish could not be 
mistaken for the Pelamys sarda ; even colouring is sufficient to distin- 
guish the species. In addition to the specimen here alluded to, I may 
inform you that there is one in the Museum of the Royal Dublin Society, 
which, I have every reason to believe, was taken off the coast of Ireland ; 
however, be that as it may, there can be no doubt whatever as to the 
authenticity of the Glasgow specimen, which is clearly the Scomber or 
Thynnus Pelamys .” 
I subsequently learned from Dr. Ball that the specimen in the Dublin 
Society collection was obtained in a fresh state, and preserved by Mr. 
Wall, a taxidermist formerly resident in Dublin. 
The Sword-Fish, Xiphias gladius, Linn. ? 
Dr. Ball has supplied me with an extract from a book in which dona- 
tions to the Dublin University Museum were entered. It announces 
the receipt of the “ Sword-bone of the Monoceros or Sword-fish, together 
with the socket of the eye and remains of an animal taken out of its 
maw. This fish was taken in a net on the coast of Wexford, but is very 
seldom known to visit that coast. 
“ Presented by Mr. Carey (Carew ?), 1786 ? ” 
Dr. Ball is of opinion that this note applies to the weapons, &c., of a 
Xiphias in the Museum, and not to the Sea Unicorn, Monodon monoceros , 
Linn., which might also possibly occur on the Irish coast. I have been 
told, but not with sufficient certainty to announce it, of the occurrence of 
the Xiphias upon another occasion on the southern coast. 
Several individuals have been taken on the coasts of Scotland and 
England. 
The Pilot-Fish, Naucrates Ductor, Cuv. and Yal. 
Dr. Harvey thus notices the pilot-fish, in his Cork Fauna, (1843):— 
“ An example of this species (now first introduced into the catalogue of Irish 
fishes) was captured about two years since at Crookhaven, in the West of this 
County, and sent by Mr. Notter to Mr. W. T. Jones of this city. It is pre- 
served, and in Mr. Jones’s possession.” 
This is the only record known to me of the occurrence of the pilot-fish 
on the Irish coast. 
The Scad, or Horse-Mackerel, Caranx Trachurus, Lacepede, 
Is taken around the coast, but in much greater quantity on the south- 
ern and western coasts, than on the northern and north-eastern. It is 
in little estimation for the table, and is consequently sold at a very low 
price. 
