236 



AMERICAN FISHES. 



The Pilot-fish, N. diictor, is a truly pelagic fish, known in all tropical 

 and temperate seas. Its name is derived from its hal)it of keeping com- 

 pan}^ with ships and large fish, especially sharks. It is the Pompilus of 

 the ancients, who describe it as pointing out the way to dubious or 

 embarrassed sailors, and as announcing the vicinity of land by its sudden 

 disappearance. It was therefore regarded as a sacred fish. The connec- 



THE PILOT-FISH. 



tion between the shark and the Pilot-fish has received various interpreta- 

 tions, some observers having, perhaps, added more sentiment than is 

 warranted by the actual facts. It was stated that the shark never seized 

 the Pilot-fish ; that the latter was of great use to its big companion in 

 conducting it and showing it the way to food. Dr. Meyer, in his " Reise 

 um die Erde," states : " The Pilot swims constantly in front of the shark ; 

 we ourselves have seen three instances in which the shark was led bv the 

 Pilot. When the shark nearecl the ship the Pilot swam close to the snout, 

 or near one of the pectoral fins of the animal. Sometimes he darted 

 rapidly forwards or sidewards, as if looking for something, and constantly 

 Avent back again to the shark. ^Mien we threw overboard a piece of bacon 

 fastened on a great hook, the shark was about twenty paces from the shij). 

 "With the quickness of lightning the Pilot came up, smelt at the dainty, 

 and instantly swam back again to the shark, swimming manv times round 

 his snout and splashing as if to give him exact information as to the 

 bacon. The shark now began to put himself in motion, the Pilot showing 

 him the way, and in a moment he was fast upon the hook.* Upon a later 

 occasion we observed two Pilots in sedulous attendance on a blue shark, 

 which we caught in the Chinese Sea. It seems probable that the Pilot 

 feeds on the shark's excrements, keeps his company for that purpose, and 



* In this instance one may entertain reasonable doubts as to the usefulness of the Pilot to the shark. 



