. American fishes [microform] : a popular treatise upon the game and food fishes of North America, with especial reference to habits and methods of capture. Fishes; Fishing; Poissons; Pêche sportive. ^ II m J -36 AMERICAN FISHES. The I'ilot-fish, ^A''. tfnctor, is a truly jiclai^Mc fish, known in all tropical and temperate seas. Its name is derived from its hnbit of keeping com- ])any with ships and large fish, especially sharks. It is the Tompilus of the ancients, who describe it as jjointing out the vay to dubious or embarrassed sailors, and as announcing the vicinity of land by its sudden d
. American fishes [microform] : a popular treatise upon the game and food fishes of North America, with especial reference to habits and methods of capture. Fishes; Fishing; Poissons; Pêche sportive. ^ II m J -36 AMERICAN FISHES. The I'ilot-fish, ^A''. tfnctor, is a truly jiclai^Mc fish, known in all tropical and temperate seas. Its name is derived from its hnbit of keeping com- ])any with ships and large fish, especially sharks. It is the Tompilus of the ancients, who describe it as jjointing out the vay to dubious or embarrassed sailors, and as announcing the vicinity of land by its sudden disappearance. It was therefore regarded as a sacred fish, '''he connec-. TIIK PILOT-FISH. tion between the shark and the Pilot-fish has received various inter])reta- tions, some observers having, pierhajjs, added more sentiment than is warranted by the actual facts. It was stated that the shark never seized the Pilot-fish ; that the latter was of great use to its big com])anion in conducting it and showing it the way to food. Dr. Meyer, in his " Reise rmi die Erde," states : " 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 rai)idly forwards or sidewards, as if looking for something, and constantly went back again to the shark. "When we threw overboard a ]>iece of l,)acon fastened on a great hook, the shark was about twenty ])aces from the shi]i. With the ipiickness of lightning the Pilot came up, smelt at the dainty, and instantly swam back again to the shark, swimming many times round his snoi!t and sjilashing as if to give him exact information as to the bacon. The shark now began to jiut himself in motion, the Pilot showing him the way, and in a moment he was fast upon the hook.''' Upon a later occasion we observed two Pilots in sedulous
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, booksubjectfishes, booksubjectfishing, bookyear1
