THE CAVALLY AND OTHER CARANGOIDS. 
2 37 
directs his operations solely from this selfish view.” I believe that Dr. 
Meyer’s opinion, as expressed in his last words, is perfectly correct. The 
Pilot obtains a great part of his food directly from the shark, in feeding 
on the parasite crustaceans with which sharks and other large fish are 
infested, and on the smaller pieces of flesh which are left unnoticed by 
the shark when it tears its prey. The Pilot, also, being a small fish, 
obtains greater security when in company of a shark, which would keep at 
a distance all other fishes of prey that would be likely to prove dangerous 
to the Pilot. Therefore, in accompanying the shark, the Pilot is led by 
the same instinct which makes it follow a ship. 
With regard to the statement that the Pilot itself is never attacked by 
the shark, all observers agree as to its truth ; but this may be accounted 
for in the same way as the impunity of the swallow from the hawk, the 
Pilot-fish being to nimble for the unwieldy shark. 
I quote at length the remarks of my friend, Dr. Francis Day: 
“ This fish has long been celebrated as the companion and guide of 
sharks, as it was formerly said to be of whales, and also the friend, or at 
least close attendant, on ships while sailing over the ocean. Although 
some consider the pilot-fish to be the friend of the shark, others have 
thought such open to suspicion, while Cuvier has even suggested down¬ 
right enmity or rather treachery in its actions. M. Geoffrey tells how two 
of these fishes were observed to lead a shark up to a baited hook which by 
their importunities they induced him to gorge. Or as Cuvier pithily puts 
it, that this tale if true should occasion them to be termed “deceivers” 
rather than “pilots.” Capt. Richards once observed upon a blue shark 
attended by four pilot-fishes following his vessel in the Mediterranean ; 
a bait was displayed, but the little pilot-fishes pertinaciously came to the 
front and with their snouts thrust the bait hook away. All at last swam 
away together, but suddenly the shark changed its mind, turned and rushed 
forwards with all speed at the bait, leaving his faithful attendants far be¬ 
hind, and which only arrived as the body of their companion was being 
hauled up on board, to which one is said to have clung, until it was half 
above water, when it fell off leaving it doubtful if it was not a sucking 
fish. Why the shark does not prey on its companions is a mystery. 
Lacepede thought their agility saved them, and that their flesh is not 
worthy the eating. 
“In the Naturalists’ Note-book (1869, p. 255), a writer (J. D. S. W.) 
mentions ‘ we frequently threw pieces of flesh into the water to them. 
The pilot-fish first came up and smelt the meat, and then went away and 
led the shark to it, who always swallowed the whole and left none for his 
little companions. On a dark night you can see the entire shape of the 
