108 
PILOT PISH, 
JElian informs us, b. ii, c. 15, that the Pompilus, or Pilot 
Fish, hated any approach to the land, and on that account was 
considered sacred to Neptune, the god of the ocean, which 
rendered it safe from any designed injury; and this in common 
belief was confirmed by the circumstance, that a man who had 
ventured to mate a meal of it, soon afterwards had the mis- 
fortune to lose his son by drowning. But the origin of the 
name, and what caused these fishes to be mistaken for each 
other was, that both of them were supposed to be actuated by 
a friendly feeling towards sailors, as was shewn in their gambols 
at the sight of the “human face divine.” They, therefore, gladly 
drew near a ship when they descried it on the open ocean, 
and kept close to it in all its voyages, so as not to be driven 
away even by any show of violence. It was only when the ship 
drew near the land that this fish was prepared to leave it; 
which propensity was of the utmost importance to the unskilful 
sailors of that day, who thus received the warning of their close 
approach to land, which otherwise they would not have dis- 
covered. Ovid refers to what was in his time perhaps the only 
fact that he had heard or believed of this tradition: — 
"And ttiou companion of the swift-winged ship, 
Its constant friend o’er all the foaming deep.” 
And Pliny notices the same habit, but of which he knew so 
little as to confound the subject of it with the Tunny, and 
even the Nautilus; but it is in Oppian that we find the full 
particulars of the popular belief; b. i. — 
“He the deep seas prefers to noisy straits, 
Who for the distant ship impatient waits, 
The friendly Pilot Pisb, who gladly views 
The well-rigged bark, and every sail pursues. 
Bound it the wanton shoals in order move. 
And frisking, gaze on him who steers above: 
Eager press on, nor will be left behind, 
Though the full sails swell bloated with the wind. — 
Thus they, while no approaching shores displease, 
Swim with the ship tumultuous o’er the seas. 
But when they conscious scent the coming shore. 
Averse they court the sailor's look no more; 
Avoid the nearer land, and hie again 
With equal haste to the unbounded main. 
Pilots observe the sign, and know the coast 
Draws nigh when they perceive their comrades lost.” 
