90 
THE SAVAGE WORLD. 
sheathing, four inches of planking, next through a foot of solid white-oak tim¬ 
ber. The sword is now on exhibition at the British Museum. Three divers had a 
somewhat startling adventure, being attacked while under water by an immense 
sword-fish , which repeatedly knocked them down, but fortunately failed to penetrate 
their armor, and was finally driven away by a knife-thrust, given by one of the party. 
The Herring (Clupea harengus ) is abundant in American waters, which 
in the spawning season they irradiate with the silver sheen of a countless pro¬ 
cession. Yarmouth, so well known to the readers of David Copperfield, is the 
headquarters of the herring fishery in England, and in good seasons the catch 
is as great as four hundred millions. The New England coast is the Ameri- ; 
can centre, as those know who have been to such fishing towns as Gloucester 
sailor sword fish (Histiophorus gladius). 
and Marblehead. The depredations of the oil factories have rendered the term 
“ moss-bunker” a term of reproach among Eastern fishermen for the vessels, 
and considering “ all as fish that comes into their net,” have greatly injured the 
slender rewards of the fisherman’s hard life. The yearly yield of oil is now 
greater in quantity and value than the whole fishery. 
The Sprat belongs to the herring tribe, but is not so well flavored. It is, 
however, largely used as food, and on the coasts of Europe furnishes employ¬ 
ment for hundreds of fishing smacks. 
The Smelt ( Argentinidce ) have a well recognized value as food, being 
rich and delicate. 
The Columbia River Smelt is so fat that it is not uncommon to run a 
