The Pilot-Fish. 429 
fishes as it happens to find on the fishermen's hooks, and 
which consequently have lost the power of escaping its 
attack ; and gnawing its way through the skin, will de- 
vour all the internal parts, leaving only the hones and 
the skin. If put into a large vessel of sea-water, it is said 
in a very short space to render the whole water so glu- 
tinous that it may easily be drawn out in the form of 
threads." 
§ III. Bony Fishes. 
THE PILOT-FISH. (Naucrates dudor.) 
The body of this fish is long, the head compressed, 
rounding off in front, without scales as far as the oper- 
culum. The mouth is small, the jaws of equal length, 
and furnished with small teeth ; the palate has a curved 
row of similar teeth in front, and the tongue has teeth all 
along. The colour varies in several species. The Pilot- 
fish will frequently attend a ship during its course at sea 
for weeks, or even months together ; and there are many 
curious stories told respecting its habits, in occasionally 
directing a shark where to find a good meal, and also in 
warning him how to avoid a dangerous bait. Whether 
this be true or not will be difficult to determine ; but it 
is certain that this little fish is generally found in com- 
pany with the shark, and picks up the smaller pieces of 
food which his predatory master drops, either by accident 
or design. 
