250 
AMERICAN FISHES. 
pie, exactly what a whalemen would describe by the word “ toggle.” It 
consists of a two-pointed piece of metal, having in the centre, at one side, 
a ring or socket, the axis of which is parallel with the long diameter of the 
implement. In this is inserted the end of the pole-shank, and to it or 
near it is also attached the harpoon-line. When the iron has once been 
thrust point first through some solid substance, such as the side of a fish, 
and is released upon the other side by the withdrawal of the pole from the 
socket, it is free, and at once turns its long axis at right angles to the 
direction in which the harpoon-line is pulling, and thus is absolutely pre¬ 
vented from withdrawal. The principle of the whale-harpoon or 
toggle-iron is similar, except that the pole is not withdrawn, and the head, 
turning upon a pivot at its end, fastens the pole itself securely to the fish, 
the harpoon-line being attached to some part of the pole. The Sword-fish 
lily-iron head, as now ordinarily used, is about four inches in length, and 
consists of two lanceorate blades, each about an inch and a half long, 
connected by a central piece much thicker than they, in which, upon one 
side, and next to the flat side of the blade, is the socket for the insertion 
of the pole-plank. In this same central enlargement is forged an opening 
to which the harpoon-line is attached. The dart-head is usually made of 
steel ; sometimes of iron, which is generally galvanized ; sometimes of 
brass. 
The entire weight of the harpoon-pole, shank, and head, should not 
exceed 18 pounds. 
The harpoon-line is from 50 to 150 fathoms long, and is ordinarily 
what is known as “ fifteen- thread line. ” At the end is sometimes fast¬ 
ened a buoy, and an ordinary mackerel keg is generally used for this 
purpose. 
In addition to the harpoon, every Sword-fisherman carries a lance. 
This implement is precisely similar to a whaleman’s lance, except that it 
is smaller, consisting of a lanceolate blade perhaps, one inch wide and two 
inches long, upon the end of a shank of five-eighths-inch iron, perhaps two 
or three feet in length, fastened in the ordinary way upon a pole 15 to 18 
feet in length. 
The Sword-fish are always harpooned from the end of the bowsprit of a 
sailing-vessel. It is next to impossible to approach them in a small boat. 
All vessels regularly engaged in this fishery are supplied with a special 
apparatus, called a “ rest ” or “ pulpit,” for the support of the harpooner 
