DEVIL-FLSH. 



77 



the cables of anchored fishing boats. So rooted is this 

 belief that in certain locaUties where they abound, the 

 fishermen invariably put down two anchors. Strongly 

 running currents, and the possibility of these weighty 

 fish being driven on to the cables thereby, seems a more 

 probable explanation of the breakage. In such circum- 

 stances, it seems not altogether inconceivable, that a 

 devil-fish drifting along with a strong current and falling 

 foul of one of these cables might grip it with its horn-like 

 anterior fins or caropteres, which it is said to use for 

 grasping purposes. In such wise, if so disposed, it might be 

 inchned to hang on and take a rest ; or possibly do so 

 with an idea of preventing itself being carried off a suitable 

 feeding ground by the swishing tide. But a more probable 

 explanation of their presence underneath the vessels is 

 that they were there for the purpose of eating the barnacles 

 with which their bottom would be studded. 



In connection with these nefarious and spiteful instincts 

 which have been attributed to the devil-fish— the reason 

 for which it is more than a little difficult to understand — 

 one John Lawson, who seems to have been a direct lineal 

 descendant of Ananias, writing in 1714 in his " History of 

 Carolina," thus gravely dehvers himself : — " The devil-fish 

 has been known to weigh a ship's anchor and run with the 

 vessel a league or two, and bring her back against the tide 

 to almost the same place." 



With such travellers' tales running in our heads, it can 

 easily be imagined that a certain pleasurable thrill of 

 excitement was felt as we rushed for a harpoon, while a 

 boat was quickly lowered to set off in pursuit of our strange 

 visitor. To make a long story short, nothing of a very 

 adventurous nature took place. As we came up with our 

 chase, it was still swimming leisurely along on the surface; 

 its huge side fins alternately struck the water in a lazy sort 

 of undulating fashion, and it did not appear to take the 

 slightest notice of the approaching boat. A well directed 

 shot on the part of Mr. Eagle, the first officer, sent the 

 harpoon firmly home, and at once caused the devil-fish 



