Article Nº 2791 Fish Vol. III · p. 105
Swordfish (Xiphias gladius)
Original title: Peixe-Agulha (Xiphias gladius)
The swordfish, occasionally caught near Madeira, up to 4 m long, dangerous to fishing boats and with good white flesh.
A large fish of the family Xiphiidae, caught from time to time in the seas around Madeira. It grows up to 4 metres long. Its powerful musculature and the peculiar shape of its upper jaw, drawn out into a spur, make it a formidable enemy even of the mightiest inhabitants of the sea. Madeiran fishermen have been in danger of being lost when a swordfish drove its terrible weapon through the side of their boat. The flesh is white and of quite acceptable flavour, recalling that of tuna. See Garfish.