Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1888-11-17

1n natural history IS to draw complri-
sons between the habits and ways of
animals in totally different walks Of
life. Thus the birds when compared
with the fishes afford subjects for
thoughtful consideration. We find
groups and families in each that have
natures and tastes almost identical;
thus the hawk and the shark, the null
let and the robin, the bird-of- paradise
and the angel-fish, all have something
in common. All fishes are armed In
some way, not always apparent. Thus
in the mouth of the mal-eater are con-
'cealed seven or eight rows of sharp.
serrated teeth; others have stings. like
the ray; while other fishes, again. have
splnes that connect with poison sac3.
The torpedo has its electric battery.
while Others re y upon methods equally
strange and remarkable. In most of
these forms alluded to the weapons are
concealed, and their owners may be
considered the banditti of the sea. On
the other hand, many more are provid-
ed with arms and methods of defense
and attack that are as noticeable as
the equipments of the human warrior.
These, then, may be termed the sol
,dIers of the sea, since they pass a great
part of their lives in a continual warfare
Prominent among these submarine
ssoldiery is the sword-fish, the cavalry
man of the ocean depths. ALWAYS
armed, its sword drawn and objected
at friend and foe, it is universally
dreaded No fish is too large or too
powerful to be safe from its attacks,
Even the great whale, the largest liv-
ing animal, if accounts are to be be-
lieved, is pierced by this swordsman,
and that l. is more than likely is shown
by the fact that with surprising fire.
4uency report is :.een in the papers
that some vess | mas been struck by a
sword-fsh. Perhaps the vessel is CON
sliered or mistaken for an enemy, or
III may ne that an attack is made to
s:.tlr.ly mere love OF destruction. Be
.-4iis rs it may, these onslaughts are to
be dreaded Some years ago the lit
tile sloop R,dHot, owned by the
United States Fish Commission, Was
'struck and sunk in New Bedford harA
'bol by swor l-iish, the sword COM
plot W penetrating the hull. Gener7
ally the stu ygles of the fish result in
breaking the sword, which remains in
the hole, preventing the entrance OF
water, but III this case it was jerkod
ont IN some remarkable way.
The force with which these fishes
strike is often almost beyond belief.
Some years ago thu ship Fortune was
struck by one, and when she was
hauled upon the dry-dock, so that the
Iealk could be repaired, the sword was
foand to have penetrated first The cop
per, then an inch-board UNDERESTIMATE
lng, a three-inch plank of exceedingly
hard wood, and twelve inches of solid
white-oak timber, finally entering the
head of clsk of oil several inches, but
not causing q leak. The fish im.nedi-
ately broke of its weapon and made
ITS escape. Several years ago fisher
man was rowing along off New York
d .rbor, when there came splintering,
crushing sound, and up through the,
bottom of the boat came the sword of
a sword-iish. The astonished rover
had pre- elcc Of mind enough to seize
the weapon and make it fast to the
seat; and although his boat foundered
he was picked up By comrades, and the
monster brought t. the shore.
The arm of the sword-tish or Niph-
las, as it is known scientifically, is II
OrOlOn iOp: of tho uppor law covprpI
with q lc,thorv h;dr offcn +hrae ~,
four feet in length, pointed at the end,
and II formidable weapon. If we mag
inc the sword of the Ninhi,s set viii
tonv s,ines on eoch side ot short in.
ter;als. like the teeth of n saw we cln
form some idea of the wconon Of the
sax-fish The sword-fsh doshae into
a school of small frv and moys tbar
clown ruttinn them in twI with HE
sword: but the saw-fsh, if if mo,Igs
similar attacks, lacerat,s it prey. i'm
paling them upon lateral spines that
are often three inches in Myth. The
saw-ssh is more commonly found in
the shoal waters along shore, bus the
sword fl sh has no restraints; the whole
ocean is its home; a verital le frce-lance,
il follows the great schools of SIN Ill fry,
preying upon tn IN for pleasure or
gain whenever it is so disposed.
The stiny-rays are provided with
veritable daggcrs, that are placed lust
over the bse of the tail, and arc al
ways ready for u.s.. That they are
effective weapons | can certify, having
seen comrGde's foot cut to the bore
Another curious waapon is f,,,5 an
the doctor-fi 81 that som times strovs
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