THE PILOT FISH. 277 



diaii Remora is said to be found of the length of 

 two or three feet ; and even, according to a 

 description quoted by Dr. Bloch, to extend 

 to seven feet. The usual number of divisions 

 on its shield is from twenty-two to twenty- 

 four. 



The power of adhesion is retained for a long 

 time, by this fish, after decapitation. I de- 

 tached one of them from the body of a shark, 

 decapitated it, and then applying the sucking- 

 plate to a smooth surface, found the power of 

 adhesion remained, and it continued for the 

 space of nearly twenty minutes. The body of 

 the animal, after the removal of the head, dis- 

 played much muscular irritability on being 

 touched, and the pectoral and ventral fins moved 

 for a long time afterwards. 



The pilot-fish, as I have before observed, 

 (Gastej'osteus ductor,) is usually seen in com- 

 pany with the shark, and with no other vora- 

 cious fish ; it is of a beautiful azure colour, 

 girded around the body by broad bands of a 

 very dark blue. I have seldom seen them larger 

 than a foot in length, but in breadth some 

 exceed others. They have never been taken 

 when in company with the shark, but, on the 

 capture of that voracious animal, they hover 



