Odd Fish 167 



their meals and enjoying the benefit of a 

 constant change of hunting grounds with- 

 out itself being put to the slightest exer- 

 tion. On occasions it may elect to attach 

 itself to the upper surface of its host, in 

 which case the remora is obliged to travel 

 on its back. The power of this sucking 

 disc is very considerable, being capable 

 of exerting a pressure of twenty-five 

 pounds. In certain parts of the West 

 Indies to this day the fish is made to do* 

 a day's work, being tethered to a rope 

 and employed in the capture of large fish 

 and turtles. 



When Christopher Columbus dis- 

 covered Cuba he found that the remora 

 was employed by the natives for catch- 

 ing fish and turtles. The following ac- 

 count is found in the life of the great 

 explorer by his son Ferdinand : "In one 

 of the channels they spied a canoe of 

 Indian fishermen who very quietly, with- 

 out the least concern awaited the boat 



