THE CAVALLY AND OTHER CAR A NG OIL'S. 237 



directs his operations solely from this selfish view." I believe that Dr. 

 Meyer's opinion, as expressed in his last words, is perfectly correct. The 

 Pilot obtains a great part of his food directly from the shark, in feeding 

 on the parasite crustaceans with which sharks and other large fish are 

 infested, and on the smaller pieces of flesh which are left unnoticed by 

 the shark when it tears its prey. The Pilot, also, being a small fish, 

 obtains greater security when in company of a shark, which would keep at 

 a distance all other fishes of prey that would be likely to prove dangerous 

 to the Pilot. Therefore, in accompanying the shark, the Pilot is led by 

 the same instinct which makes it follow a ship. 



With regard to the statement that the Pilot itself is never attacked by 

 the shark, all observers agree as to its truth ; but this may be accounted 

 for in the same way as the impunity of the swallow from the hawk, the 

 Pilot-fish being to nimble for the unwieldy shark. 



I quote at length the remarks of my friend, Dr. Francis Day : 



" This fish has long been celebrated as the companion and guide of 

 sharks, as it was formerly said to be of whales, and also the friend, or at 

 least close attendant, on ships while sailing over the ocean. Although 

 some consider the pilot-fish to be the friend of the shark, others have 

 thought such open to suspicion, while Cuvier has even suggested down- 

 right enmity or rather treachery in its actions. M. Geoffrey tells how two 

 of these fishes were observed to lead a shark up to a baited hook which by 

 their importunities they induced him to gorge. Or as Cuvier pithily puts 

 it, that this tale if true should occasion them to be termed "deceivers" 

 rather than "pilots." Capt. Richards once observed upon a blue shark 

 attended by four pilot-fishes following his vessel in the Mediterranean ; 

 a bait was displayed, but the little pilot-fishes pertinaciously came to the 

 front and with their snouts thrust the bait hook away. All at last swam 

 away together, but suddenly the shark changed its mind, turned and rushed 

 forwards with all speed at the bait, leaving his faithful attendants far be- 

 hind, and which only arrived as the body of their companion was being 

 hauled up on board, to which one is said to have clung, until it was half 

 above water, when it fell off leaving it doubtful if it was not a sucking 

 fish. Why the shark does not prey on its companions is a mystery. 

 Lacepede thought their agility saved them, and that their flesh is not 

 worthy the eating. 



"In the Naturalists' Note-book (1869, p. 255), a writer (J. D. S. W.) 

 mentions ' we frequently threw pieces of flesh into the water to them. 

 The pilot-fish first came up and smelt the meat, and then went away and 

 led the shark to it, who always swallowed the whole and left none for his 

 little companions. On a dark night you can see the entire shape of the 



