FISHES. 359 
usual size. Its colour is a dull brown, mottled with 
white, and sometimes mixed with red ; the fins and tail 
are transparent, and the lower part of the body is a 
shining white. 
THE SWORD-FISH (Xiphias yladius,) 
Has its name from its long snout resembling the blade of 
a sword. It sometimes weighs above one hundred pounds, 
and is fifteen feet in length. The body is of a conical 
form, black on the back, white under the body, a large 
mouth, and no teeth ; the tail is remarkably forked. 
The Sword-fish is often taken off the coast of Italy, in 
the Bay of Naples, and about Sicily. They are struck at 
by the fishermen, and their flesh is considered as good as 
that of the sturgeon by the Sicilians, who seem to be 
particularly fond of it. Other European seas are not 
destitute of this curious animal. 
The Sword-fish and the whale are said never to meet 
without coming to battle; and the former has the repu- 
tation of being always the aggressor. Sometimes two 
Sword-fishes join against one whale; in which case the 
combat is by no means equal. The whale uses his tail in 
his defence ; he dives down into the water, head foremost, 
and makes such a blow with his tail, that, if it take 
effect, it finishes the Sword-fish at a stroke ; but the 
