214044_The_Essa ... rd_Of_Montaigne_Vol_II.pdf - OUDL Home

THE SECOND BOOKE 195
As some of our nations have wives in common and
some in severally each man keeping himselfe to his
owne, so have some beasts; yet some there are that
observe their marriage with as great respect as we doe
ours. Touching the mutuall societie and reciprocall
confederation which they devise amongst themselves,
that so they may be fast combined together, and in
times of need help one another, it is apparant that if
Oxen, Hogs, and other beasts, being hurt by us, chance
to crie, all the heard runnes to aid him, and in his
defence will joine all together. The fish, called of the
Latines Scarus, having swallowed the fishers hooke,
his fellowes will presently flocke about him, and nible
the line in sunder ; and if any of them happen to be
taken in a bow-net, some of his fellowes, turning his
head away, will put his taile in at the neck of the net,
who with his teeth fast-holding the same, never leave
him untill they have pulled him out. The Barbel fishes,
if one of them chance to be engaged, will set the line
against their backes, and with a fin they have, toothed
like a sharp saw, presently saw and fret the same
asunder. Concerning particular offices, which we for
the benefit of our life draw one from an other, many
like examples are found amongst them. It is assuredly
beleeved that the Whale never swimmeth unlesse she
have a little fish going before her as her vantgard; it
is in shape like a Gudgeon, and both the Latines and
we call it the Whales-guide; for she doth ever follow
him, suffering herselfe as easily to be led and turned
by him as the ship is directed and turned by a sterne :
for requitall of which good turne, whereas all things
else, be it beast, fish, or vessell, that comes within the
horrible Chaos of this monstrous mouth, is presently
lost and devoured, this little fish doth safely retire
himselfe therein, and there sleepes verie quietly, and
as long as he sleepes the Whale never stirs; but as
soone as he awaketli and goeth his way, wherever he
takes his course she alwaies followeth him, and if she
fortune to lose him, she wanders here and there, and
often striketh upon the rocks, as a ship that hath nor