See GASTEROSTEUS, Ichthyology Index.

Ofbeck tells us, that they are shaped like those mackerels which have a transverse line upon the body. "Sailors (continues he) give them the name of pilots, because they closely follow the dog-fish, swimming in great shoals round it on all sides. It is thought that they point out some prey to the dog-fish. They are not only not touched, but also preferred by it against all their enemies.

It likewise follows the shark, apparently for the purpose of devouring the remains of its prey. It is pretended that it acts as its pilot. The manner in which it attends the shark, according to M. Daubenton, may have given rise to this name. It is said to swim at the height of a foot and a half from the snout of this voracious animal, to follow and imitate all its movements, and to seize with address every part of its prey which the shark allows to escape, and which is light enough to buoy up towards the surface of the water. When the shark, which has its mouth below, turns to seize any fish, the pilot-fish starts away; but as soon as the shark resumes his ordinary position, it returns to its former place. It is said, that in the gulf of Guinea those fishes follow ships for the sake of the offals and human excrements; and hence the Dutch give them the name of dung-fish. It is remarkable, that though so small they can keep pace with ships in their swiftest course.