522 The Living Animals of the World 



descried, all that remains to be done is to seize hold of it and drag it ashore, if it has not 

 already stranded itself, and then dispatch it. 



The B^RRACroA, or Snoek, is likewise a New Zealand species, attaining a length ot o leet. 

 It is found also at the Cape and South Australia. In New Zealand the flesh is exported to 

 ^ilauritius and Batavia as a regular article of commerce, being worth £17 per tou. 



The Horse-mackerels, or Scads, are represented by some very bizarre-looking forms. It 

 is a laro-e family, belonging to tropical and temi)erate seas. One species, the Common Horse 



''Wy^/' r 



Photos hjj W. HaviUe-Ktiil, F.Z.S.'\ 



.JOHN DOIilES. 

 These two photographs show the ditfei-ence in the jaws when protruded and when at rest. 



{MUfovd-on-Sca. 



MACKEREL, is common in British seas. ■Many members of the family have the hinder portion 

 of the body on each side armed with large plates, well seen in the accompanying 

 p)hotographs ; others have the median tins ptroduced into long filamentous processes. All are 

 eatable, and some highly esteemed as food. One of the most remarkable is the Pilot-fish of 

 tropical and tem[)erate seas, occurring occasionally off the British coasts. It derives its name 

 from its habit of accompanying ships and large sharks. Frcnn this habit of accompanying 

 ships it was regarded by the ancients as a sacred fish, since tliey considered it pointed out 

 the way to embarrassed sailors, and announced the vicinity of land by suddenly disappearing. 

 The close companionship between the pilot-fish and the shark lias excited much comment, 

 many oliservers believing that tlie former was of great use to the latter in guiding it to its- 

 food. How this is done is graphically described by Dr. ^Meyer, who writes: "The pilot swims 

 constantly in front of the shark ; we oursch'es have seen three instances in which the shark 

 was led by the pilot. When the sliark neared the ship, the pilot swam close to the snout or 

 near one of the pectoral fins of the animal. Sometimes lie darted rapidly forwards or sidewards, 

 as if looking for something, and constantly went back again to the sliark. When we threw 

 overboard a piece of bacon fastened on a great liook, tlie shark was about twenty paces from 

 tlie ship; with the quickness of liglitning tlie pilot came up, smelt at the dainty, and 

 instantly swam back again to the sliark, swimming many times round his snout and splashing, 

 as if to give him exact information as to the bacon. The shark now began to put himself 

 in motion, the ijilot showing him the way, and in a moment he was fast upon the hook." 

 As iJr. Gimther remarks, commenting on this acccnmt, one may entertain reasonable doubts as- 

 to the usefulness of the ^lilot to the shark in tliis instance ! It is probable that the pilots 

 follow the sharks for the sake of feeding on fragments scattered by the latter, and also for 

 the sake of picking off the parasites witli which sharks, in common with other large tish, are- 

 mfested; furthermore, the pilot, being but a small fisli, obtains greater security from enemies 

 when in the company of its giant friend. The haliit of seeking the company of more 

 powerful or otherwise offensive animals is apparent also in other members of this family, the 



