266 THE SHARK. 



quence, as to lead them to suppose that their 

 dissolution is nigh ; but they cannot be per- 

 suaded that the eating of raw fish is the cause. 

 An emetic soon removes the symptoms, by re- 

 moving the cause ; and the sufferer considers the 

 cure as almost miraculous. 



Attending the shark, is seen that beautiful 

 little fish, the Gasterosteus ductor, or pilot-fish ; 

 which first ajjproaching the bait, returns as if to 

 give notice, when, immediately after, the shark 

 approaches and seizes it.* It is a curious cir- 

 cumstance that this elegant little fish is seen in 

 attendance only upon the shark. After the shark 

 is hooked, the pilot-fish still swim about, and 

 for some time after he has been hauled on deck ; 

 they then swim very near the surface of the 

 water, and at that time I have seen them taken 

 by a basket from the chains of the ship. When 

 the shark has been hooked and afterwards es- 

 capes, he generally returns, and renews the attack 

 with increased ferocity, irritated perhaps by the 

 wound he has received. 



* The shark is more wary of taking the bait when unac- 

 companied by the pilot-fish ; it will then approach, and retire, 

 several times before it ventures to seize it ; but when the 

 little pilot is in company it will first approach the bait, (the 

 shark waiting at some distance,) and return, as if to report; 

 when the shark advances and seizes the bait without hesita- 

 tion : this I have remarked in numerous instances. 



