FISHES. 



497 



the shark every where. This fish has got a power of adhering 

 to whatever it sticks against, in the same manner as a cupping- 

 glass sticks to the human body. It is by such an apparatus that 

 tliis animal sticks to the shark, and drains away its moisture. 

 The seamen, however, are of opinion, that it is seen to attend 

 on the shark for more friendly purposes, to point him to his prey, 

 and to apprise him of his danger. For this reason it has been 

 called the Shark's Pilot. * 



The shark so much resembles the whale in size, that some 

 have injudiciously ranked it in the class of cetaceous fishes ; but 

 its real rank is in the place here assigned it, among those of the 

 cartilaginous kind. It breathes with gills and lungs, its bones are 

 gristly, and it brings forth several living young : Belonius assures 

 us, that he saw a female shark produce eleven live young ones at 

 a time. But I will not take upon me to vouch for the veracity 

 of Ilondeletius, who, when talking of the blue shark, says, that 

 the female will permit her small brood, when in danger, to swim 

 down her mouth, and take shelter in her belly. Mr Pennant, 

 indeed, seems to give credit to the story, and thinks that this 

 fish, like theoppossum, may have a place fitted by nature for the 



* In the month of May, 1793, Citizen Geoffrey found himself between 

 Cape Bon and the island of Malta, where, much fatigued with the long con- 

 tinuance of a calm, the attention of all the passengers was excited by a shark 

 advancing^ tfjwards the vessel. The two pilots which preceded him, were 

 eenn Ut direct their coiu-se towards the poop of the vessel, which they in- 

 kjected twice, from one end to the other ; but tinding that there was no. 

 thing which they n)ight turn to their lulvantage, they resumed their former 

 rout* : the shark never lost sight of his friends, but followed, as if he had 

 been dragged by tlunn. As soon as he was descried, one of the sailors threw 

 a large hook into the sea, baited with lard. The three travellers, though 

 Jhey hiul airejuly priiceedcd to the distance of 20 or 25 millemetres, hearing 

 the noise occasioned by the fiUlof the bait, stopped short, and the two pilots 

 detached themselves toe.xamine the vessel ; the shark, during their absence, 

 sported on the surfax'e of the water, turned himself on his back and dived, 

 but always re-appeare<i at the same place. 'Jhe pilots had no sooner dis- 

 covered the lard, than they returned to their master with great velocity, 

 made every effort to got before him, ami then suddenly returned in the di- 

 rection towards the vessel. They were followed by the shark, who appear. 

 ed not to discover the lard, till the moment it was pointed out to him by his 

 guides ; it was then only that he began to swim with greater velocity, or 

 rather uuide a .jump to seize it, when the hook penetrated his lip, and he 

 wa.s immediately hoisted on board. It would be interesting to inquire into 

 the causes of such a9in«ular iwssociation, and to find out whether, according 

 to the opiiiiou of Cit. liosc, it is the dung ol the ;.hark that allurc^s the pilot. 

 fish. 



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