HABITS OF THE PILOT-FISH. 



273 



another accomplished observer narrates an interesting anecdote of a shark being 

 continually warned of a baited hook by his little friends, who struck their noses against 

 his snout whenever he turned towards the bait. At last, however, he dashed at the 

 tempting morsel and was captured, to the sorrow of the Pilot-fishes, who swam about 

 for some time in search of their friend, and then darted down into the depths of the 



Mr. Bennett, in the work to which allusion has lately been made, has some very 

 curious and interesting observations on this fish, which must be given in his own 

 words : 



PILOT-FISH. Naucrates ductor. 



" Pilot-fish are almost invariably found in attendance upon the shark, though the 

 nature of their connection with that ferocious fish is somewhat mysterious. They will 

 accompany ships for a considerable distance after their patron shark has been de- 

 stroyed ; but I am not aware that they have ever been seen, like the remora, attending 

 upon other large fish, whales, or miscellaneous floating bodies. The structure of their 

 mouth and the contents of their stomach, which are usually small fish, denote that 

 they are accustomed to seek their food in a very independent manner. We captured 

 many of them also by hook and line, baited with flesh ; nor did they refuse the bait 

 even when they were in company with a shark. 



The reputation this fish has obtained of being the shark's pilot or provider (and 

 which has sanctioned its trivial name) would appear to be groundless, were we guided 

 only by the want of similar precedents in the animal kingdom. A fact, however, which 

 came under my notice during a voyage from India, in the year 1832, led me to believe 

 that there is some just foundation for this popular opinion. 



While we were becalmed in the Atlantic Ocean, a shark was seen close to the ship, 

 and attended by two Pilot-fish, which generally swam one above and the other below 

 him, and occasionally went off to some distance, as if to explore the surrounding sea, 

 although it was seldom long before they returned and resumed their former positions ; 

 the shark, in the meantime, by its unwieldy form, slow movements, and lethargic 

 aspect, offered a strong contrast to the sprightliness and activity of his scouts. 



A baited hook was lowered from the bow of the ship ; but the shark, when alone, 

 passed it several times without notice, and apparently without seeing it One of the 

 foraging Pilot-fish then approached the bait, and immediately swam off to where the 

 shark was headed in a contrary direction, when the monster instantly turned, 

 and followed his informant, which now swam ahead of him, in a direct line 



