XIPHIURUS CAPENSIS. 
branchial opening, and terminates at the base of the caudal fin, having a 
slightly waved course. 
Variety . — Body bulky ; head large, and anteriorly, towards the nose, its 
curvature is abrupt instead of gradual, as in the individual already described. 
DIMENSIONS. 
In. Lines. 
Length from the nose to the point of the 
tail 38 0 
the nose to the upper extremity 
of the branchial opening. . . 7 10 
the nose to the angle of the 
mouth 3 0 
In. Lines. 
Distance between the nose and the eye . 2 5 
the nose and the origin 
of the dorsal fin ... 10 0 
the nose and the origin 
of the anal fin 18 8 
During one of the several earthquakes which occurred many years ago at the Cape of 
Good Hope, one or more sandbanks were formed near the entrance to Table Bay, and, not 
long after, the first specimens of this fish were obtained. Since then it has always been in 
the market ; but on no occasion in great abundance : hence, owing to that circumstance and 
to the esteem in which it is held as an article of diet, it generally brings a high price. I am 
not prepared to say the two figures in the plate represent the same species, nor yet different 
ones. The one marked Fig. 2, is considered by fishermen to be different ; and, in support 
of their opinion, they urge that it is always found on a bank which is at a very great depth 
below the surface of the water ; while that marked Fig. 1, is never found on that bank, but 
always on those with a less depth of water. 
It is fished after the manner of the cod-fish, and, in many respects, bears a close resem- 
blance to the Gadidce. 
