DOLPHINS. 5 



which we have always found attached to sharks, is the suck- 

 ing hsh (Echeneis rémora) . This genus of fish is distinguished 

 from all the others by the top of its head being flattened, and 

 occupied by a laminated disc, composed of numerous trans- 

 verse cartilaginous plates, the edges of which are spiny and 

 directed obliquely backwards. By means of this apparatus, 

 these fishes are able to attach themselves to ships, large fishes, 

 and the like. In some countries, the inhabitants make use of 

 these fishes to capture turtles. A ring is fastened to the tail, 

 and a rope being attached to it, the sucking fish is carried out 

 by the fishermen in their boat in a vessel of water, and thrown 

 into the sea, where turtles abound. In endeavouring to make 

 its escape, the fish attaches itself to the nearest turtle, and 

 both are handed in together. 



Another fish, v^^hich was very abundant, and often har- 

 pooned for the delicacy of its flesh, was the dolphin (Cory- 

 phaena hippurus) . It is a brilliant golden fish about four 

 feet in length, and is so swift in its motions, that it darts 

 throusrh the water like a radiant meteor. We have often seen 

 them swimming round our ship when at full speed. Its dorsal 

 fin is light blue, with golden reflections, the tail-fin and the 

 body are green, and the belly is of a silvery lustre, separated 

 from the back by a yellow lateral line. When swimming 

 swiftly in the water there is an extraordinary display of 

 colours upon it, and at night the effect is simply marvellous. 

 After being caught, and shortly before dying, it presents a 

 remarkable change of colour. The dolphins live chiefly upon 

 the flying fishes. It is a grand sight to see, when a shoal of 

 dolphins are in chase. 



On the 26th of March, by 30.20 of latitude, and 30.40 of 

 longitude, we sighted TRINIDAD ISLAND, and shortly after the 

 rocks of Martin Vas. 



On the ist of April we were near Rio Janeiro, the capital 

 of Brazil. The heat was intense. Numerous gulls were hover- 

 ing round the ship. 



On the loth we saw some white pigeons, and on the 15th 

 some petrels for the first time. During the night of the 

 1 6th we were overtaken by a tempest, which lasted twenty- 

 four hours. Two sails were carried away, and the great yard 

 was broken. 



On the 1 8th we saw immense shoals of sardines, and a 

 large quantity of Cape pigeons (D apt ion capensis) , feeding 

 .upon them. On that day w^e had a very particular enjoyment, 



