op pishes. 
203 
SWORD FISH. 
The snout of this fish so nearly resembles 
the figure of a sword, that from thence it is 
supposed to derive its name. Its weight 
sometimes exceeds one hundred pounds. It 
has a longish body, towards the head thick, 
towards the tail small ; a rough black skin 
on the back, like a shark ; the belly white, 
ft has a middling size mouth, but no teeth ; 
Us tail is remarkably forked. It is an inhabi- 
tant of Europe ; and is considered to be an 
enemy to the whale. They are frequently 
eaught oft' the coast of Naples, and about 
Sicily, by being struck at by the fishermen 
U'ith an instrument resembling a harping 
non. The Sicilians are particularly fond 
°f it for food, and it is considered equal to 
the sturgeon. They are frequently seen 
hfteen feet in length. 
