SWORDFISH

a large, powerful, white-fleshed fish found in the Mediterranean, Atlantic, and Pacific, highly esteemed for food, both fresh and salted. Especially good is a swordfish steak—cut to the size of a big porter louse, and carefully broiled. The fish derives its name from the remarkable extension of its upper jaw into a long, pointed, swordlike weapon with which it kills its prey and attacks its enemies.. On our coasts it frequently reaches twelve feet in length and a weight of 400 pounds. Big specimens have weighed 800 pounds. So strong is its sword, and so great the motive power that the fish exerts, that it has more than once pierced the copper sheathed plank and timber sides of an ocean-going steamship.