330 THE WORLD OF THE SEA: 
The Hassar (Doras costata) of Central America, when the swamp 
it inhabits dries up, makes even long journeys across the country 
by the aid of its scales and fins, in search of water. It is said that 
it can endure even the hottest sun for many hours. If it find that 
all the water has evaporated. like the leech, it forces itself into the 
moist earth, and there remains until the water returns ; a proof that 
fish are by no means wanting in intelligence. 
The Remora, or Sucking-fish, has upon its head a flat disc, made 
of a flexible and contractile material, and crossed by several ridges. 
By means of this organ, the animal can attach itself to submarine 
bodies, and so can put itself under the protection of a larger fish, 
who carries his little attache with him wherever he goes. So the 
THE SUCKING-FISH, 
(Echeneis remora.) 
remora passes through the water in perfect safety, and without the 
slightest danger. 
It was the belief of the ancients, that this curious fish could 
impede, and even arrest the progress of a large vessel ; nay, their 
credulity and love of the marvellous was such, that they asserted— 
no amount of rowing, no sails, not even a tempest, could move 
the ship from the spot where the remora first attached itself. 
At the battle of Actium—Pliny seriously relates—the vessel of 
Antony was held by this invisible object firmly in its place, and 
from this cause Augustus gained the battle and the empire. In 
speaking of this nautical wonder, the historian says, “Let the 
winds blow as they will, let the tempests exert their rage, this 
little fish commands their fury and sets a bound to their power.” 
The ays lie in ambush to seize little animals which happen 
to come within their reach. 
The Epzbulus resort to the same stratagem, and when a young 
