Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 16.djvu/41

* PILOT CHABT. 25 PII.OTY. tion of the chart. The path followed by the centre of each of the more important barometric depressions that have occurred within that period is shown, and the force of the winds which ac- companied them, the latter on the Beaufort scale. The region through which fog has been frequent is also shown. Cpon the Pilot Chart of the Xorth Pacific Ocean there appears the average track followed by the centres of the barometric depressions for the month that occurred during the ten year period 1878-1887; also the tracks followed by the centres of the various classes of typhoons, those terrific storms which render navigation in East Asiatic waters so fraught with danger. Ipon both charts is given in red the last reported position of floating derelicts, wreck- age, buoys, and other obstacles to navigation. Kecently reported icebergs and field ice are also shown, all of these being plotted upon the chart precisely where last sighted, in order that the mariner may have the dangers which menace his vessel constantly in view, without dependence upon his memory and without reference to any publication save the chart before him. Other features of the chart are the list of equator crossings for several future months, in- tended for the use of vessels bound on distant voyages ; the list of new charts recently published and of additions and corrections to old; the storm warnings displayed by the United States and by other maritime nations, all of which are shown graphically. In addition to these the land space of the chart is always devoted to a discussion of some topic of interest to navigators, such as studies in the law of storms, the experience of various vessels in recent cyclones, recent improve- ments in the theoiy and practice of navigation, the relative advantages of different sailing routes, and other similar subjects. The reverse of the chart is also frequently utilized for this purpose, one of the interesting publications of the United States Hydrographic Office being the chart which appears annually upon the back of the Pilot Chart, showing the drift of sealed bottles which are east overboard in various parts of the ocean and find their way to distant shores. As in the days of Maury, so now the United States Government is still the pioneer in this class of publications for the benefit of seamen. The first edition of the Pilot Chart of the Xorth Atlantic Ocean appeared in December. 1883, that of the Xorth Pacific Ocean in January, 1894. The German Govcniment and also the English have recently entered the field, each of these having in January, 1901, begun the publication of a chart of the Xorth Atlantic embodying many of the features of the American Pilot Chart. The Ger- man chart bears the title Xortliitlaniische Wct- teraussehau. and is published monthly by the Deutsche Seewarte. Hamburg. Germany. The British Pilot Chart extends also over the ilediter- ranean Sea. and is published monthly by the Meteorological Office in London. See Hydro- graphic Office. PILOT-FISH, or Romero. A fish {yaticrates (luctor) of the family Crangida?, resembling the mackerel, except that there are no finlets suc- ceeding the dorsal fin. It- gets to be about two feet long; the general color is silvery grayish-blue, five dark transverse bands passing around the whole body. Its flesh is said to be very delicate, resembling mackerel in flavor, but it is not often met with in the markets. It is the only species of the genus, and is widely distributed through the tropical seas. It is often seen in tlie company of a shark, and is therefore very commonly sup- posed to direct the shark to its prey. The facts probably are that the pilot-fish, in company with sharks and other fishes, follow in the wake of vessels for the purpose of picking up anything edible that may fall from the ship. It is not im- possible that the pilot-fish finds it a decided protection against enemies to be associated with the shark, and in this way has developed the habit. A related fish, one of the amberfishes. is often called 'shark's pilot;' it is Heriola zonata, of the American coast from Cape Cod to Cape Hatteras ; and a West Indian demoiselle (family Pomicentrida", Eupomacentrus leucostictus) is called 'black pilot/ or "cockeye pilot.' The name "pilot-fish' is also given to the 'round' white- fish {Coregonus quadrilateralis) of the Great Lakes. Consult: Goode, Fishery Industries (Wash- ington, 1884) : Bennett. (Jatherings of a Natura- list in Australia (London, 18(50). See Plate of Horse M.ckerel. PILOT KNOB. A conical hill in Iron County, ilissouri. 7.3 miles southwest of Saint Louis (Map: Missouri, F 4). It is about a mile in diameter at its base, and consists of beds of iron ore, porphyry, and porphyry conglomerates. The ore is hard, specular, steel-gray in color, extreme- ly brittle, and with a faint lustre. A few miles to the northwest is Iron Mountain (q.v. ). PILOT MOUNTAIN. A mountain in Xorth Carolina. See Abar.t. PILOT SNAKE. (1) A Xorth American blacksnake which is black or brown above, with or without darker squarish spots: the belly is very darkly clouded, and the head not banded. It is common from Xew .Jersej' to Texas, especially in the Middle States, where it is often called 'mountain blacksnake.' but is known to the moun- taineers of the AUeghenian ranges as 'pilot snake.' It is a denizen of forests to a great extent, hiding in hollow logs and in holes of old trees. It climbs trees easily, and in the spring feeds largely upon birds and their eggs, and fledglings ; other- wise its prey is mainly mice, rabbits, and other small animals. It is not only entirelv harmless. PILOT sxAEE (Colaber obsoletas). 1, Top of liead ; 2, profile. but remarkable for gentleness, making little re- sistance to being handled, and soon becoming tame. Stejneger says this species deposits its eggs in hollow stumps and similar places, where they hatch in early summer. Consult Cope, Croeodilians, Lizards, and Snakes (Washington, 1900). ('2) A local name in the Eastern States for the copperhead (q.v.). PILOTY, pMo'tf, Karl vox (1826-86). A German historical painter, famous for hav- ing revived the color element in the modern