CHESIL BEACH FISH. 163 



who walk along the beach for, perhaps, a quarter of a mile, 

 gradually hauling in the net, and eventually pulling it on shore 

 with the fish enclosed in it. 



When a fish of any size is caught it is usually put on a waggon 

 which perambulates the neighbourhood and then proceeds to 

 Weymouth, and occasionally as far as Dorchester, if the fish 

 remains in good condition long enough and is attractive to the 

 public. 



About a year ago a large sunfish ( ' OrtliagorisciLs mola) Avas caught 

 in the nets. It measured about six feet in length, and somewhat 

 more between the tips of the fins. This fish is of a most extra- 

 ordinary oval shape, nearly round, and has a habit of sunning 

 itself on the surface of the water, and from this habit or from its 

 round shape it derives its name. It is found occasionally on 

 various parts of the British coast. The fishermen said that there 

 was also a second sunfish, which they did not catch. The sunfish 

 was accompanied by two small black pilot fish (Naucrates ductor), 

 about 18 inches in length, of which only one was caught. Both 

 sunfish and pilot fish were sold to a naturalist in London, and 

 reached him safely about a week after their capture, after under- 

 going various adventures. In the course of their travels the 

 railway company attempted to deliver the sunfish at a small private 

 house in London, owing to a mistake of the fishermen, and on its 

 being refused admittance they took it back to Waterloo and sent a 

 telegram to Weymouth to say that its owner could not be found 

 and that they did not know what to do with it. The pilot fish 

 fetched 2, but the big sunfish only 30s. and its carriage to London, 

 which was about 2 more. I may here mention that the large 

 sunfish now in the British Museum was taken off the Chesil Beach 

 in June, 1846 ; it was 6ft. Sin. long. 



As to the connection of the pilot fish and the large fish which 

 they accompany, the general belief amongst the Chesil Beach 

 fishermen seems to be that each large fish has five pilot fish, who 

 attend on him and direct him in finding food. When danger 

 approaches in the shape of another large fish, or when the pilot 



