128 REMORA, OR SUCKING-FISH. 



respect to the marvellous powers of the EcJiineus^ it 

 is not surprising that these powers sliould have 

 formed a theme for the wonder-losing poet. 



The sucking-fish beneath, with secret chains, 



Clung to the keel, the swiftest ship detains. 



The seamen run confused, no labour spared, 



Let fly the sheets, and hoist the top-mast yard. 



The master bids them give her all the sails 



To court the winds and catch the coming gaJes, 



But though the canvass bellies with the blast, 



And boisterous winds bear down the cracking mast, 



The bark stands firmly rooted on the sea. 



And will, unmoved, nor winds nor waves obey ; 



Still, as when calms have flatted all the plain. 



And infant waves scarce wrinkle on the main. 



But although the sucking-fish possesses no such 

 powers as are here attributed to it, the force with 

 which it attaches itself to any substance with which 

 it comes into contact is very remarkable. Com- 

 merson produced a kind of temporary palsy of his 

 thumb, by exposing it for a short time to the sucking 

 operation of the shield of this animal ; and they are 

 separated with the greatest difficulty from the sharks 

 and fishes to which they are frequently found, 

 many together adhering, having attached themselves 

 probably for the purpose of profiting by the more 

 rapid power of motion possessed by other fishes. It 

 is vulgarly supposed that the sucking-fish accompa- 

 nies the shark for the purpose of directing him to 

 his prey, or of warning him of approaching danger ; 

 and hence it has been sometimes called the sharks 



