22 NATURAL HISTORY. 



The sword fish mostly swims in pairs, and lives on plants 

 and small fish, and although many stories are told of the 

 use it makes of its pointed muzzle as a -weapon of offense, 

 it seems scarcely credible that such formidable blows can 

 be given by it, as it is flexible, and seemingly weak. 

 The flesh is much prized, and the fins considered a 

 luxury. 



The Pilot Fish (centronotus ductor). One foot long, 

 with four spinous rays on the back, like the stickleback; 

 altogether blue, with transverse bands of darker shade. 

 This beautiful fish is found in all the warmer seas, and 

 from its always being found in company with the shark, 

 probably directed by the same instinct to seize what may 

 be thrown overboard, it is believed to be the conductor of 

 the latter to the neighborhood of prey. They live in the 

 greatest harmony with each other. If a bait is thrown 

 to the shark, the pilot fish swims first toward and around 

 it, and then returns to its companion, as if to inform 

 him of the qualities of the examined object. If the 

 shark is token, the pilot fish remains near the ship until 

 the carcass is drawn up on deck. Another species of 

 the Centronatus tribe, of a bluish-gray color, and about 

 five feet long, is said to cater in the same manner for the 

 tunny. 



The Sun-fish or Smith (zeus faber). is smooth, with 

 a strong dorsal fin ; lives in the warm seas ; measures 

 two feet in length ; silver gray, inclined to yellow, with 

 a round black spot on each side. This spot is supposed 

 to resemble a coin ; therefore, it is a general belief that 

 tli is is the fish in whose mouth St. Peter found the trib- 

 ute money. It receives its name of the Smith because 

 in the form of its bones is found an imaginary resem- 



