The Sword-fish . 
339 
tered by double persecution, has no power of flight in 
the proper sense of the word. According to modern ob¬ 
servers, the length of time which it can remain in the air 
is determined by the power of the spring which it makes 
on leaving the water. The motion is more that of a 
leap than of a flight, and cannot be prolonged after the 
original impetus has diminished. 
The Sword-fish, or Xiphias of Spenser, is thus de¬ 
scribed by Sir Thomas Browne, from a speci- 
, , J , • • n * Sword-fish. 
men taken m his neighbourhood:— 
“ A sword-fish, entangled in the herring-nets at Yarmouth, agreeable 
unto the Icon [picture] in Johnstonus, with a smooth sword, not unlike 
the gladius of Rondeletius, about a yard and a half long; no teeth; 
eyes very remarkable; enclosed in a hard cartilaginous covercle, about 
the bignesse of a good apple.” (Yol. iv. p. 326.) 
Olaus Magnus, on the contrary, has drawn on his own 
imagination, for with the exception of a pointed snout, 
the account he gives of this fish is wrong in every par¬ 
ticular. The mouth of the sword-fish is a mere slit, and 
the projection of the upper jaw would effectually baffle 
any attempt on the part of the inquisitive mariner to look 
into it. 
“ The sword-fish,” he writes, “ is like no other, but in something it 
is like a whale. He hath as ugly a head as an owl: his mouth is 
wondrous deep, as a vast pit, whereby he terrifies and drives away 
those that look into it. His eyes are horrible, his back wedge-fashion, 
or elevated like a sword ; his snout is pointed.” (Page 228.) 
This fish is said to pursue the whale, and to pierce it with 
its beak-like weapon, but no motive has been discovered 
for this wanton attack. It also dashes against the sides 
of ships, probably mistaking them for whales, piercing 
the timbers for some inches. 
The Yellow Skulpin is one of the most beautiful 
little fishes to be seen on our coasts, and not 
very uncommon. It is yellow, with delicate - anoscopus - 
