444 FISHES. 



Micropteryx chrysurus is a semi-pelagic fish, and very 

 common in the tropical Atlantic, less so in the Indian 

 Ocean. 



Seeiola. — Body oblong, slightly compressed, with rounded 

 abdomen, covered with very small scales ; lateral line not shielded ; 

 prsBopercular margin entire. Cleft of the mouth of moderate 

 width, or rather wide. The first dorsal continuous, with feeble 

 spines. No detached finlets. Villiform teeth in the jaws, on 

 the vomer and palatine bones. 



These fishes are often called " Yellow-tails," and occur in 

 nearly all the temperate and tropical seas, sometimes at a 

 great distance from land. Twelve species are known, and the 

 majority have a wide geographical range. The larger grow 

 to a length of from four to five feet, and are esteemed as food, 

 especially at St. Helena, the Cape of Good Hope, in Japan, 

 Australia, and ISTew Zealand. 



Scriolella and Serioliohthys, the latter from the Indo-Pacific, 

 and distinguished by a finlet behind the dorsal and anal, are 

 allied genera. 



Naucrates. — Body oblong, sub-cylindrical, covered with small 

 scales ; a keel on each side of the tail. The spinous dorsal con- 

 sists of a few short free spines ; finlets none. Villiform teeth in 

 the jaws, on the vomer and palatine bones. 



The " Pilot-fish " (If. dudor) is a truly pelagic fish, known 

 in all tropical and temperate seas. Its name is derived from 

 its habit of keeping company with ships and large fish, espe- 

 cially Sharks. It is the Pompilus of the ancients, who describe 

 it as pointing out the way to dubious or embarrassed sailors, 

 and as announcing the vicinity of land by its sudden disap- 

 pearance. It was therefore regarded as a sacred fish. The 

 connection between the Shark and the Pilot-fish has received 

 various interpretations, some observers having perhaps added 

 more sentiment than is warranted by the actual facts. It was 

 stated that the Shark never seized the Pilot-fish, that the 



