The Saw-fish is distinguished from all other known Fishes by the
formidable arm which it carries in its head. This weapon is a
prolongation of the nose, which, in place of being rounded off or
reduced to a point, forms a long, straight, strong, sword-like
termination, flat on both sides, and on the two edges furnished with
numerous strong teeth, giving the appearance of a double saw, or one
with teeth on both edges.
Thus armed, the Saw-fish—the length of which is from twelve to fifteen
feet—fearlessly attacks the fiercest inhabitants of the ocean. With this
threatening weapon, sometimes two yards in length, it dares to try its
strength with the Whale, and in a combat between the two, the Saw-fish
is usually victorious.
The Saw-fish is sometimes called the Sword-fish because of the
sword-shape of its long saw, but it should be remembered that these
Fishes are entirely distinct, for the Saw-fish belongs to the class of
Cartilaginous Fishes, while the real Sword-fish, whose sharp sword is
strong and smooth—without the saw-like teeth—is found among the Osseous
or bony Fishes in the Mackerel family.