00 ALONG THE FLORIDA REEF. 



posed of what the doctor called " oblique trans- 

 verse cartilaginous plates," and Dick said were 

 "slats of gristle." These were supplied with 

 delicate teeth or hooks that helped it to cling. 



" But how did it help Augustus Caesar ? " in- 

 quired Harry. 



" There is a legendary story that one of these 

 fellows fastened itself on Antony's galley at the 

 great naval battle of Actium, and thus allowed 

 the galley of Augustus to obtain the advantage 

 in the onset," the doctor explained. " Hence its 

 name the ' ship-stayer.' r 



" I have heard you can catch turtles with 

 'em," said Busby, " although I've never seen it 

 done." 



" I have heard the same thing," rejoined the 

 doctor. " In Mozambique the natives, it is said, 

 keep this fish in a tub of water, and then, when 

 a turtle is sighted, the remora, with a cord tied 

 to its tail, is tossed overboard. Instinctively it 

 fastens itself to the unconscious turtle, which is 

 speedily hauled in by the fisherman." 



" Well, well, a live fish-hook ; that's an idea ! " 

 laughed Tom. "Let's keep it and try. Only 



