224 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 Barracuda, or Snoek, is likewise a New Zealand species, attaining a length of 5 feet. 
It is found also at the Cape and South Australia. In New Zealand the flesh is exported to 
Mauritius and Batavia as a regular article of commerce, being worth X17 per ton. 
The Horse-mackerels, or Scads, are represented by some very bizarre-looking forms. It 
is a large family, belonging to tropical and temperate seas. One species, the COMMON HORSE- 
r ” 
Photos by IV. SavilU~Kent^ F.Z.S. 
iMil/ord-vn^Sea 
JOHN DORIES 
T^ese two photographs show the difference in the jaws when protruded and when at rest 
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 accompanving 
photographs; others have the median fins produced into long filamentous processes. All are 
eatable, and some highly esteemed as food. One of the most remarkable is the PiLOT-ElSH of 
tropical and temperate seas, occurring occasionally off the British coasts. It derives its name 
from its habit of accompanying ships and large sharks. From this habit of accompanying 
ships it was regarded by the ancients as a sacred fish, since they 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 has excited much comment, 
many observers believing that the 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 ourselves have seen three instances in which the shark 
was led by the pilot. When the shark neared the ship, the pilot swam close to the snout or 
near one of the pectoral fins of the animal. Sometimes he darted rapidly forwards or sidewards, 
as if looking for something, and constantly went back again to the shark. When we threw 
overboard a piece of bacon fastened on a great hook, the shark was about twenty paces from 
the ship; with the quickness of lightning the pilot cane up, smelt at the dainty, and 
instantly swam back again to the shark, swimming many times round his snout and splashing, 
as if to give him exact information as to the bacon. Tae shark now began to put himself 
in motion, the pilot showing him the way, and in a moment he was fast upon the hook.” 
As Dr. Gunther remarks, commenting on this account, one may entertain reasonable doubts as 
to the usefulness of the pilot to the shark in this 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 with which sharks, in common with other large fish, are 
infested; furthermore, the pilot, being but a small fish, obtains greater security from enemies 
when in the company of its giant friend. The habit of seeking the company of more 
powerful or otherwise offensive animals is apparent also in other members of this family, the 
