GEN. NAUCRATES. THE PILOT-FISH. 205 



blue ; of the under, a fine silvery white, the whole 

 body being covered by a rough skin. It is said 

 that the ordinary habit of this fish is to go in pairs, 

 male and female. The flesh of the young is per- 

 fectly white, compact, and of excellent flavour: 

 when old, its qualities are somewhat modified; 

 Brydon remarking that it is more like beef than 

 fish, and is then to be dressed as cutlets. It has 

 ever been esteemed of first-rate quality, is often 

 salted, the tail and fins being most esteemed when 



fresl 



The Second Section of this Family is charac- 

 terised by having the spiny rays of the back, not 

 continuous, but separate. 



Gen. 26. Naucrates. Pilot-fishes. — This genus 

 is distinguished by free dorsal spines ; which exist 

 also before the anal fin, to the number of two ; it has 

 the carina, or keel, on the sides of the tail. Of 

 its various species, only one is British. 



(Sp. 49.) N. ductor. The Pilot-fish. (PI. XIII.) 

 The term Pilot-fish is applied, not only to the con- 

 geners of the species now under review, but also 

 more loosely to some other fish. Its origin has been 

 ascribed to various causes. The ancient Naturalists 

 had a story that it joined company with the tempest- 

 tost bark of the anxious mariner, indicated to him 

 his nearest direction to land, and left him as soon as it 

 had fulfilled this kind office. A more modem opinion, 

 which has been faithfully copied by many authors, 

 affirms that these fishes act a pilot's part to the 



